Netball: Magic through to grand final

Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic eliminated title favourites the NSW Swifts 54-49 here today to make their second grand final appearance in the trans-Tasman netball championship.

The Magic avenged a 17-goal loss when the teams met in round 12 on June 7, winning today's preliminary final to advance to next Sunday's decider against Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Runners-up to the Swifts in the inaugural ANZ Championship in 2008, the Magic's late season resurgence continued with a commanding performance spearheaded by Irene van Dyk.

The Silver Ferns goal shoot nailed a memorable 43 goals from 44 attempts in a peerless display.

The Swifts, unbeaten in the regular season, squandered their first lifeline last week when losing 38-52 to the Thunderbirds in the qualifying final.

The Magic qualified third for the finals series and made today's sudden-death encounter by beating Southern Steel 50-42 last weekend.

- NZPA