Netball: Magic wallop Sting to claim second title

Magic 67 Sting 43

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic have laid the foundations for a new netball dynasty after walloping Southern Sting 67-43 in tonight's National Bank Cup final.

Magic, the form team all season, successfully defended their title in front of a raucous sell-out home crowd at Mystery Creek, emphatically confirming New Zealand netball's powerbase now resides with the Hamilton-based franchise.

The turning point came with a third quarter blitz where Magic, who led 32-27 at halftime, outscored the Sting 16-9 and left the visitors trailing in their dust.

Sting, six-time champions and competing in their eighth final, had no answer when the hosts, led superbly by skipper and centre Amigene Metcalfe and wing defence Laura Langman, increased the tempo.

When the blowtorch was applied, Sting slipped and lost possession which Magic punished with their trademark speedy through-court passing to the deadly shooting pair of Irene Van Dyk and Tanya Lund.

The result mimicked last year's final when Magic beat Sting 65-39, and the champions have now won five of their last seven matches against Sting.

Sting, who changed their shooting combinations three times during the match, could not prevent a blowout when Magic started the fourth quarter 48-36 ahead.

As their confidence grew, Magic's passing became even quicker and sharper and Van Dyk slotted goals at will.

At the defensive end Magic's Casey Williams was in sparkling form, while Sting defender Megan Hutton was the visitors best despite the scoreline.

Sting coach Robyn Broughton started with Belinda Colling and Donna Loffhagen in the shooting circle, leaving Natalie Avellino, who produced a match-winning effort in last week's semifinal, on the bench.

The punt appeared to pay off as both teams went goal for goal in the first quarter, with Magic pulling away late to lead 14-12.

However the momentum swung Magic's way in the second quarter as they capitalised on some Sting unforced errors and the hosts broke to a four-goal lead.

Magic's defensive pairing of Williams and Joline Henry were creating headaches for Colling and Loffhagen as they restricted their shooting space.

Williams was also prominent with some crucial intercepts which kept the Sting attack at bay, with Magic pulled away to lead 32-27 at halftime.

Broughton attempted to arrest the slide by introducing super-sub Avellino after the break with Loffhagen reverting to goal attack.

The switch appeared to work as Sting came within three goals of Magic, but it only gave the Southerners false hope as Magic increased the tempo.

A five-goal burst signalled the start of the rampage and they raced to an 12-goal lead and effectively their second title.

Sting were reduced to bystanders in the fourth quarter as Magic emphatically claimed the spoils.

"We sustained the pressure throughout, we played four quarters and I can't be happier," Magic coach Noeline Taurua said.

"In the last seven minutes I knew we had it in the bag."

Broughton paid compliment to a far superior team.

"We were beaten by a team that went for it. They played well."

Williams was named player of the match.

- NZPA