Byfield helps Mystics to victory in ANZ Championship

Defender Althea Byfield continues to enjoy success with the Northern Mystics team, but the teams with her Jamaican compatriots Carla Borrego and Romelda Aikens slumped to their second straight defeats in the ANZ Championship at the weekend.



Byfield, playing her second game, was prominent on the intercept front, as she hauled in a number of steals on the back of a rash of turnover balls to help the Mystics crush fellow New Zealand side Central Pulse 61-50 at the Te Rauparaha Arena in New Zealand.



She grabbed three rebounds, intercepted two passes, and deflected six in another solid defensive performance for the Mystics.



Borrego showed accurate finishing touches under the hoop, but the Adelaide Thunderbirds failed to maintain their early momentum, and the New South Wales Swift beat them 45 to 38 at ETSA Park in Australia.



Over at the Hisense Arena in Australia, the Firebirds continued to struggle with Aiken and were beaten 53-46 yesterday by defending champions Melbourne Vixens.



The competition continues on Saturday with the Mystics hosting the Magic at the Trusts Stadium Arena in Auckland, and Aiken comes face-to-face with Borrego when the Firebirds host the Thunderbirds at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.