Netball: Magic in show of force

Force goal defence Leana De Bruin intercepts a ball meant for Irene van Dyk last night. Picture / Fotopress

It took them until the third quarter to get going, but it was a case of better late than never for the Magic who stormed into the final of the National Bank Cup last night, beating the Force in Hamilton.

The Force will now face the winners of tomorrow's clash between the Diamonds and the Sting to decide the other finalist.

In the competition's eight-year history the Magic have never played in a final.

During the first half last night it appeared they were going to be outwitted by the experienced North Harbour side.

With five Silver Ferns in their line-up, the Magic have been one of the more consistent performers in this year's competition - but last night they slept through the first half and woke just in time to deliver the Force a heart-breaking loss.

Magic coach Noeline Taurua was at a loss to explain her side's slow start.

"It was a strange game. We did come back, which was good ... but we shouldn't have let ourselves get in that situation, there was no need to. It might be an experience thing, I am not too sure."

Force captain Temepara George said her side strayed away from their game-plan in the second half, which cost them the match.

"We had a good lead where were up four at halftime, and all we had to do was score off our own possession.

"Then we got in 'help' mode and started to help everyone else rather than doing our own jobs.

"But we have another chance and we are going to go hard next weekend."

After a cautious start from both sides the Magic then suffered what can only be described as a first-quarter meltdown. They turned over ball after ball through bad passing and a lack of drive through the court.

"We came in here pretty solid and confident, and just didn't fire at the beginning," Taurua said.

"It is not that they put extra pressure on us, we put pressure on ourselves."

Trailing by seven at one stage, the Magic pulled back to 15-11 at the first break.

The Magic were hesitant with the ball, which made easy pickings for the Force defence.

The Force surged out to an eight-goal lead in the second quarter, but again the Magic pegged them back and went into half time having reduced the deficit to just four, 29-25.

At the break Taurua told her players: "If they stood and watched the world go by they were going to lose the game."

The Magic came storming back. taking the lead for the first time in the match midway through the quarter.

The Force went through their own patch of turnovers - Magic defenders Casey Williams and Joline Henry being the main benefactors.

The Magic went into the last quarter ahead 44-41 and after barely five minutes had extended their lead to nine. The Force remained competitive, but struggled to stem their opponent's flow through court and into Irene van Dyk.