By Di O’Connell
The Northern Mystics have blown a five goal lead in this afternoon's ANZ Championship Grand final qualifier going down 56 - 50 to the Melbourne Vixens.
They'll now have to beat the winner of tomorrow's sudden death minor semi final between the Magic and the Thunderbirds to earn a rematch with the vixens in the final.
The mystics got off to a wobbly start but once settled started dominating and rattled away to a five goal lead.
So it was time for defender Anna Harrison to pull out the lineout move the Mystics first used against the Vixens in their round eight upset.
In the second quarter the table-topping Vixens stormed back to within two.
Harrison didn't need to leave her feet to cause trouble and teamed up with the long range accuracy of Silver Fern Maria Tutaia restored that five goal buffer at half time.
A third quarter fightback - won by the Vixens by five goals -tied it all up.
The competitions top two teams then went goal for goal to set up a thrilling final quarter.
But when the Aucklanders were forced to chase for the first time the cracks appeared.
And there was no dream ending for the kiwis as the Vixens outfoxed the Mystics 56-50.
Now the Mystics must regroup for a last shot at their second grand final in two years.
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