Netball: Magic show strengths to stay unbeaten

Magic's Joanne Harten fires in a shot despite the close attention of West Coast Fever's Eboni Beckford-Chambers at ASB Baypark Arena in Mount Maunganui last night. Photo/George Novak

The unbeaten Kia Magic continued their golden start to the ANZ Championship with a resolute 65-48 win over the West Coast Fever at ASB Arena last night.

The Perth-based Fever jumped out to a 17-12 lead after the first quarter. International defender Ebony Beckford-Chambers led a durable defensive line but the early impression was the speed of the transition through the centre court, with lively centre and former Magic player Khao Watts in top form.

Fever extended their lead to 21-13 before Magic scored eight straight goals to close the game up 21-21, with Grace Rasmussen distributing well from wing attack.

Magic goal shoot Joanne Harten impressed with her composure under pressure and there was plenty of that in the shooting circle.

Magic finally got in front 24-23 with four to play in quarter two before Harten and goal attack Ellen Halpenny stretched the lead out to 33-26 at the break. Fever seemed to have no answer to Magic's dominant second quarter power. Magic's dominant defensive pairing of captain Casey Kopua and Leana de Bruin snuffed out some early Fever attacks in quarter three while at the other end Harten and Halpenny kept knocking in the goals.

The lead stretched out to 14 at one stage before Magic happily settled into the final 15 minutes with a healthy 49-38 margin.

The last quarter was a benefit waltz for the Magic players who continue to impress under the astute coaching of Australian Julie Fitzgerald.

One of the stars for Magic was dynamic midcourter Grace Rasmussen, who has made giant strides to fill the gap left by the world's best in Laura Langman.

In Queensland, the Firebirds continued their dominance over the Northern Mystics with a deserved 58-50 victory.

The Mystics have never beaten the Firebirds in eight attempts, including the 2011 grand final, and the round five match at the Brisbane Convention Centre went to script as the home side led at every break.

The victory puts the Firebirds into the top four, at least temporarily, as they turn their focus to a clash with the Melbourne Vixens at home on Monday week.

The Southern Steel pulled off one of the great upsets in trans-Tasman netball league history, pipping defending champions Adelaide Thunderbirds 61-59 in Adelaide.

It was the Steel's first-ever win on Australian soil, in their 17th visit, and their first win over the Thunderbirds in seven years.

The visitor's goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid led the way, with Thunderbirds' defenders Bec Bulley and Kate Shimmin struggling to match up against the 198cm tall Jamaican star. APN/AAP