Magic stamp their class

Magic stamp their class

The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic supported by Sleepyhead finished with a flourish to continue their unbeaten run in the National Bank Cup netball competition in Rotorua tonight.

The defending champions showed their class with a 61-48 triumph over the Goldair Flames after a stirring second half revival.  In tonight’s other match the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Sting overwhelmed the Genesis Energy Shakers 81-33 in Invercargill.  The Magic showed their class after being left reeling following a first quarter onslaught by the Flames tonight as they pitted their skills against the only other unbeaten team heading into the third round.

Led by a superb all round display from rising young goal attack Jade Topia and the defensive abilities of Jodi Tod and Kate Dowling, the underdog Flames streaked to a nine-goal advantage by the end of the first quarter.  The furious opening by the Flames denied the Magic shooters any quality ball with Irene van Dyk under close attention from Tod and Dowling having rare opportunities.

Facing their first real test of the season, the Magic began to find their touch in the second quarter with goal attack Tanya Lund sinking a string of long range shots to take some of the heat of van Dyk. Seven unanswered goals brought the Magic right back into the game.  Magic defenders Joline Henry and Kahurangi Waititi put the squeeze on Topia, denying her the leeway of the first quarter and limiting her supply of ball.

The defending champions, chasing a third successive title, had cut the deficit to 27-29 by halftime before surging ahead in the two remaining quarters.

The gallant Flames hung on as the Magic stamped their mark in the third quarter where they dominated across the court. Van Dyk found more space and rattled the goals in at will, ably supported by Lund, who had an impressive night.

Growing in confidence the Magic dazzled on attack with their speed and flow which the Flames struggled to contain.Henry and Waititi snaffled plenty of ball on defence which helped the Magic to an important seven-goal third quarter advantage and in the process stemming the Flames scoring options.  Magic young gun Laura Langman had a right royal battle with her opposite Julie Seymour. Leading 44-39 at three quarter time, the Magic had broken the resistance of the Flames challenge, who struggled to finish off under the pressure. In control, the Magic rolled relentlessly on to close out a powerful second half resurgence.

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