Auckland Waitakere goal attack Bailey Mes demonstrated her class with a superb performance to help her side reach the final of the New Zealand under-21 championships.
The Northern Mystics squad member slotted 31 goals from 44 attempts and in the process helped sink Otago in a tense match at the Edgar Centre last night.
The home side led 25-23 at halftime but faded in the second half, eventually losing 51-43.
Earlier, Southland dispatched Canterbury 49-40 and will play Auckland Waitakere in the final tonight, while Otago will have to be content meeting Canterbury in the third-fourth play-off.
Otago started brightly with shooters Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Greir Campbell working together nicely, and defenders Jess Moulds and Jaimee Power making some telling touches.
But the visitors seized the momentum with a strong third quarter, outscoring their opponents 13-8.
Mes turned and shot with robotic precision, and fellow Mystics squad members Kayla Cullen and Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick closed down the Otago attackers.
In the under-19 competition, Otago Gold will play Waikato Red in one semifinal, while Auckland Waitakere 1 plays Taranaki Western in the other semi.
Netball New Zealand selector Leigh Gibbs has been pleased with the standard of play at this year's championships.
"There are some great skills out on court and some really good structure," Gibbs said.
"The players that have been identified are showing good development and in the under-19s, where we mostly see new faces, there are some quite exciting young ones coming through."
At the conclusion of the championships the selectors will name tournament teams in both age groups.
