Netball: Magic can go all the way, claims rival coach

Magic co-captain Amigene Metcalfe. Picture / Fotopress

Canterbury Flames coach Marg Foster believes the Magic have the team to go all the way in the National Bank Cup netball competition.

The Waikato/Bay of Plenty side showed their title credentials on Saturday at Mystery Creek with a 54-37 demolition job on the Flames, who were in second place behind the Magic before the weekend.

With their last round-robin game against the winless Capital Shakers on Friday night, it will be almost a formality for the Magic to wrap up the top spot and home advantage for the major semifinal.

In a weekend in which the six-times champions, the Southern Sting, slumped to their third successive loss, Foster said the Magic would be worthy champions.

"I think they should win the title and I definitely think they could. They're getting better at retaining the ball which in the past has been their weakness.

"I would love to see the Magic get in the final and win, it would be good for the sport and fantastic to see them take it out," she said.

The Magic won every quarter in an emphatic display and were never seriously threatened after an eight-goal burst early in the first quarter.

Magic co-captain Amigene Metcalfe was a deserved player of the match, delivering the ball to her shooters with some lovely touches.

Metcalfe deflected the praise for her performance to the entire team.

"It's wicked, there is strength everywhere and there is a real confidence and belief in the team. When everybody does their job you can really enjoy it," she said.

However, the diminutive wing attack must be coming back into national contention after outplaying every opponent this season.

Magic coach Noeline Taurua believes the subtlety of Metcalfe's play is often under-rated.

"Amigene's got an X-factor. She does things no one else does in New Zealand."

Along with Laura Langman, Metcalfe controlled the mid-court while defenders Joline Henry, Casey Williams and Rebecca Gabel put the Flames under constant pressure.

Anna Senio again produced a fine performance when it was needed with Irene van Dyk given a torrid working over early by Flames captain Vilimaina Davu.

That pressure led to van Dyk shooting at less than 90 per cent with 37 goals from 43 attempts, while Senio shot 17 from 20.

It will be a crucial round this weekend as five teams fight it out for the three remaining semifinal spots.

The Force and Diamonds are second equal, three points behind the Magic, with the Flames, Sting and Rebels still in contention.

- nzpa