Netball: It's Magic in extra time win

Magic 57 Mystics 48

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic are headed to Melbourne for a grand final showdown after an extra time thriller against Northern Mystics last night.

Magic called on every trick they had to beat Mystics 57-48 in Auckland last night and make this year's ANZ Championship final against Melbourne Vixens.

Just as they have many times this season, Magic showed great resilience and an ability to step up when it really counted, running away with a game Mystics appeared to have in the bag until the dying seconds of normal time.

It wasn't the way Kiwi legend Temepara George wanted to end her career but she was gracious in defeat and said she would be cheering for Magic in the final.

Outstanding performances from Magic captain Laura Langman and the team's two South Africans - shooter Irene van Dyk and defender Leana de Bruin - sealed the deal.

Magic struggled but persevered in the fourth quarter to put themselves back in contention, the match ending in a 44-44 deadlock to force it into extra time - two spells of seven minutes.

Magic dominated those final 14 minutes, calm and controlled with Langman leading the charge and marshalling her troops for a final flourish. Up 51-46 after the first period of extra time, Magic romped home to book themselves a final in Melbourne on Sunday.

Their main concern over the next few days could be the ankle injury sustained last night by key defender Casey Williams who hobbled her way through extra time.

It will be Magic's third grand final, their last one in 2010 when Adelaide Thunderbirds won 52-42.

Magic's massive turn-around, from four consecutive losses to an unprecedented 12-match winning streak, has been a highlight of this year's transtasman competition which has been the closest to date.

In the major semifinal Vixens beat Mystics to earn a home grand final while Magic knocked out Thunderbirds by one goal in the minor semi. Mystics got a second life, facing off against Magic last night to see who would play Vixens in the final.

An enthralling first quarter set the tone last night. Concerted defensive pressure and accurate shooting from both teams meant there was nothing in it, the quarter finishing 12-all.

Magic got on a roll in the second quarter, fashioning a four-goal buffer before Mystics settled and pulled it back as Magic lost a bit of structure before regathering to finish up, 24-23.

In the crucial third quarter Mystics upped the ante, taking control throughout the court, putting immense defensive pressure on Magic who fell away and were forced backwards. Hesitation set in but Magic scrambled to finish the third spell down by just two, 34-36.

It was Mystics who took control in the final quarter, forcing Magic into errors and taking charge at their attack end to be up by five but the visitors stuck with it in a torrid final nine minutes to close and then level the gap and force the game into extra time.