The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic are in danger of losing out on their number one spot in the ANZ Championship standings and, with it, the all-important home semifinal after the Southern Steel caused yet another boilover in Invercargill.
The 47-43 loss has raised questions over the Magic's titlecredentials, having turned in two shaky performances in as many weeks after a less-than-convincing display against the Central Pulse in round 12.
The Magic are on equal points at the top of the table with the NSW Swifts after the Sydney team racked up their sixth win in a row, a wide-margin victory over a depleted Melbourne Vixens line-up 62-49 last night. The Vixens lost inspirational midcourter Natasha Chokjlat to a knee injury in the opening minute.
If the Swifts and the Magic both win next weekend as they are expected to, it will be goal difference that determines the top seeding in the finals.
Magic coach Noeline Taurua always expected to be pushed hard by the Steel. In fact, with the semifinals two weeks away, she hoped for an extremely intense battle. But the Southerners perhaps proved a little too competitive for Taurua's liking and the Magic imploded.
Steel coach Robyn Broughton last week spoke of the need for her side to "muscle up" after their seven-goal loss to the Northern Mystics, and they certainly did so last night as they harried the Magic.
The Steel struggled to get into the match in the opening stages, with the Magic notching up five goals before the home side were able to get on the board. But Daneka Wipiiti settled her nerves and the Southern side quickly pegged back the Magic's lead.
The Steel drew level at 8-8 towards the end of the first quarter and from there the two sides were locked in a tight tussle for the rest of the match.
The visitors led 11-9 at the first break, but it was the Steel who held the initiative at halftime, leading 23-22, after the Magic's attack imploded.
The Magic were able to eke out a four-goal lead in the third quarter but failed to kick on as the home side were once again allowed to fight back and level the score at 35-35 heading into the final quarter. From there, the Steel always looked in control.
