Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic 38
Southern Steel 33
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic's reign as the top New Zealand franchise remained on shaky ground tonight as they struggled to subdue Southern Steel before scraping to a 38-33 trans-Tasman netball championship win in Invercargill tonight.
Coming off a 53-49 win over bottom-placed Canterbury Tactix on Thursday, the Magic, playing their
third game in nine days, looked far from resolving a number of problems in attack where Julianna Naoupu and Jamilah Gupwell remain unable to fill the shoes of the departed Maria Tutaia.
Though Irene Van Dyk continues to hold her end up, shooting 29 from 30 attempts tonight, she clearly cannot be the sole provider under the net for the side if they get to the playoffs.
The Magic leapt out to an 11-4 lead in the first quarter but an early swap of bibs between Paula Griffin and Daneka Wipiiti began to pay off by the end of the quarter which ended at 12-7 in favour of the Magic.
With Griffin under the hoop and Wipiiti ranging around as goal attack, the tide swung in the Steel's favour and they outscored a disjointed Magic to lead 20-16 at halftime from a platform provided by good defensive work from Leana de Bruin, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Wendy Frew and Natasha Chokljat.
A couple of changes after the breather saw the Magic regain a modicum of control with Gupwell replacing Naoupu (six from 11 for the game) and Jess Tuki for Frances Solia at wing attack.
The third quarter saw Magic take the lead at 22-21 but with Griffin (24/26) and Wipiiti, after a shaky start (9/14) shooting well, the scene was set for a nail biting finish at 28-28 when the teams started the fourth quarter.
Once again the Magic had to work hard in the fourth quarter, relying on the steadying influence of Van Dyk, Laura Langman at centre and solid defensive work from Casey Williams and Jodi Todd to eke out an unsatisfactory win.
"It was out third game in nine days and I think it showed," Magic skipper Langman said.
The team's ability to put the pressure on in defence and then convert it into attack had been the difference, she added.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, Langman felt the individual errors and turnovers needed to be tidied up or the team would be punished for them.
The Magic's next games are against the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Adelaide, and the Central Pulse in Taupo.
A disappointed Steel skipper Frew said the side had the winning of the game but failed to finish it off.
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic 38 (Irene van Dyk 29/30, Julianna Naoupu 6/12, Jamilah Gupwell 3/7) Southern Steel 33 (Paula Griffin 24/26, Daneka Wipiiti 9/14). Halftime: 16-20.
- NZPA
