KEY POINTS:
The result was inevitable by halftime, that Waikato-BOP Magic would prevail, but you've got to feel sorry for Central Pulse and take your hat off at the same time to yet another courageous performance from them.
The Wellington-based ANZ Bank Championship netball franchise fought gallantly to the end, narrowing the margin and finally going down 41-46 after trailing by as many as 10 points at one stage.
For Magic, the five-point victory meant they kept their noses in front for another week in the competition after losing for only the second time in the competition to the Melbourne Vixens (47-40) in the previous round.
They lead the transtasman league with 18 points but the Pulse clearly suggested again they were a far better team than their winless record shows.
In fact they lost just one quarter - the second - in Wellington today which effectively erased all chances of the biggest boilover in the competition.
The Pulse led 12-11 after the first quarter, lost the second quarter 7-14 (19-25), won the third 11-10 (30-35) and drew the last 11-11 (41-46).
Both teams had 50 goal attempts each but it was birthday girl Irene van Dyk's 97 per cent success that won the game for Magic.
The Silver Fern shooter, who turned 36 today, managed 35 from 36 attempts and her partner Maria Tutaia scored 11 from 14.
The Magic's young shooting combination of Susan Tagicakibau and Jamilah Gupwell managed 26 from 32 and 15 from 18 respectively.
Magic's experience throughout the court with players such as Laura Langman, Casey Williams, captain Amigene Metcalfe and Joline Henry in the side made the difference early in the second quarter when they scored 14 goals to Pulse's seven.
At one stage the Magic turned over possession at regular intervals to score seven consecutive goals which stretched their lead to 14-21.
But their start looked rather flat when Pulse captain and mid courter Frances Solia and England defender Sonia Mkoloma, who have never failed to stand out in any game, inspired the side with some fine turnovers.
Cushla Lichtwark at wing defence also had an eye-catching performance for the home side who have lost some extremely close games, including last week's 49-50 loss to Canterbury Tactix in extra time.
"It was a very physical game and I didn't think it needs to get to the way it got but that's netball these days," Magic captain Metcalfe told Sky Sport.
"We got pushed around a lot and we stood up and starting taking it ... we got a bit flustered in the middle there but to come out still standing up strong was good."
Solia said the loss was naturally disappointing again but her side had improved each week and had succeeded in cutting down their errors.
"We knew they wanted to come here and have a really huge win so I think we used that as a motivation," Solia said.
"While, I think, we improved again from last week's performance it was a bit disappointing because we were pretty hungry for a win today."
"Our basic errors have come down a lot. We have shown that if we cut down our errors and show a bit more discipline we can compete well against quality sides like the Magic."
- NZPA
