Goal shoot Irene van Dyk shot an incredible 41 goals from 42 attempts. Photo / Getty Images.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic have jumped to the top of the transtasman netball league, topping the previous league-leading Adelaide Thunderbirds from top spot with a 17-goal thrashing today few predicted.
The Thunderbirds held top spot on goal difference going into the key round 13 matchup but were hammered at Tauranga's
TECT Arena by a rampant Magic outfit who grabbed a handy 15-11 lead at quarter time and rammed home the advantage, crusing to a 59-42 victory in front of a sellout 3000-strong crowd.
It was a record-equalling eighth win in a row and momentarily puts the Magic in top spot from the Thunderbirds, Melbourne Vixens and Northern Mystics on goal percentage, although they are almost certain to be overhauled by the end of the weekend.
But after four losses blighted the start of their campaign, coach Noeline Taurua was smiling after another win virtually sealed their participation in the playoffs ahead of next weekend's clash with the Queensland Firebirds in Hamilton.
The Magic were irrepressible, exerting huge pressure through midcourt maestro Laura Langman, with transplanted South Australian Khao Watts also a dominant feature feeding shooters Irene van Dyk, who turned 40 this week, and the fast-improving Julianna Naoupu.
