MVP Jo Harten (left) in action earlier this month. FILE
Kia Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic were forced to fend off a late-charging Mainland Tactix before prevailing 52-49 in posting their second win of the season in Hamilton tonight.
Facing a New Zealand team for the first time this campaign, the Magic made a rollicking start with slick through-court play and accurate finishing to leave their southern visitors grappling for a reply.
To their credit, the Tactix recovered admirably from a 10-goal deficit to leave the Magic warily looking over their shoulder. The visitors made a forceful rearguard comeback, going on to win the second half but both coaches were left concerned at the high number of turnovers committed by their respective teams.
With just a one-goal lead midway through the final stanza, Magic turned on some big defence while retaining cool heads on attack to eventually pocket the points.
Magic have now won two from four outings while the Tactix remain winless.
Magic welcomed back the steadying influence of shooter Jo Harten, the England import overcoming a rib injury to take her place. Teenagers Jamie-Lee Price and Samantha Sinclair retained their places at centre and wing defence respectively in a youthful midcourt.
Coming into the day unwell, captain Anna Thompson remained on the bench for the start, the Tactix starting with Erikana Pedersen at wing attack and Keisha Grant at centre.
The home team couldn't have asked for a better start, dominating the opening minutes with 10 unanswered goals. Staring down the barrel of a 10-0 deficit posed early problems for the visitors who struggled to get anything going with their second phase play.
Young defender Kristiana Manu'a, who has settled into the Magic seamlessly, carried on her strong recent form ably supported by Price and Sinclair as the home team made every post a winner.
Tactix coach Sue Hawkins responded quickly, replacing goal attack Bailey Mes with Gemma Hazeldine who added some spark with her movement and feeding.
Carried away at times, the home team undid a lot of their good work with needless turnovers but managing to hold onto a 15-10 lead at the first break.
Looking for more urgency and accuracy on attack, rookie Chloe Williamson was injected into centre for the Tactix in her debut with Grant moving to wing attack, inspiring the Tactix to a competitive second stanza.
Wing defence Hayley Saunders was tireless for the Tactix while goalkeeper Jess Moulds picked off some valuable turnover ball as the visitors pegged the deficit back. Harten and fellow shooter Ellen Halpenny provided the steadying influence for Magic who failed to nail their wealth of opportunities.
With Tactix still struggling to breach their circle, Thompson was mustered from the bench and into wing attack just before half-time with the Magic leading 27-21.
Exciting young talent Malia Paseka took over at goal shoot for the second half for Magic, replacing Halpenny with Harten moving to goal attack.
Threatening to break away during this passage, the Magic were well contained by Tactix in a frenetic and flustered effort by both combatants in a rollercoaster and willing contest. Both teams struggled with their accuracy but the team from the south held on tenaciously to test the Magic all the way.
Stretching out to a nine-goal lead at one stage, Magic were again reeled in by the plucky Tactix as they delivered more ball into the hands of dangerous shooter Mwai Kumwenda who was ably supported by an impressive Hazeldine.
Able to stall the momentum with the break looming, Magic took a 39-36 lead into the last break.
Magic shooting statistics:
Jo Harten 30/32 (94%)
Ellen Halpenny 11/14 (79%)
Malia Paseka 11/16 (69%)
Tactix shooting statistics:
Mwai Kumwenda 36/41 (88%)
Bailey Mes 0/1 (0%)
Gemma Hazeldine 13/17 (76%)
Chemist Warehouse MVP: Jo Harten (Magic)