Netball: Magic's underdog act exposed

By RICHARD BOOCK

Even Amigene Metcalfe has to admit that the jig is up.

The co-captain of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic side travels to Christchurch this weekend for a national netball league semifinal against the Canterbury Flames, knowing full well that her side's underdog status is in tatters.

Having spent two years at the bottom of the Coca-Cola Cup competition with a reputation as easybeats, the once-meek Magic spent the first half of this season quietly ambushing opponents on the road and at home, and the second half cementing their first playoffs berth.

But their opponents have quickly wised up.

No longer can the Magic sneak up on the more fancied teams, claiming to be weaker "on paper" than their rivals or point to the lack of stars in their lineup.

"We used to play a little on suggestions that we didn't have any stars," Metcalfe said in Hamilton yesterday. "But the game's up, I think. If nothing else the win over the Sting in Invercargill showed what we were capable of, and I doubt we were the only ones who noticed.

"We might not have a lot of stars, but we've got a lot of very good players, a lot of team-work and heaps of heart and desire - and that can carry you a long way."

Metcalfe might also say that they have the most hard-working and efficient mid-court combination in the competition, although she stops short of that, possibly because she plays a key role at wing-attack.

The 27-year-old physical education teacher has struck up an almost telepathic combination with co-captain and centre Jenny-May Coffin and new Silver Fern Victoria Edward this season, providing the Magic with excellent support at each end of the court.

Her understanding with Coffin comes from years of friendship and from being team-mates in the New Zealand women's touch team.

"We're good mates and that probably helps a lot," Metcalfe said.

"The understanding comes with time and from getting to know each other, not just within sport but outside it as well. We don't see each other just at touch and netball - we're out together heaps as well."

The Magic midcourt is likely to be the Flames' biggest concern in Christchurch on Sunday, along with the knowledge that the Hamilton-based side have already knocked them over once this year, 45-42 in the sixth round at Tauranga.

They also managed to beat the top-seeded Sting 46-44 in an epic eighth-round clash at Invercargill, and looked to have the measure of the Shakers in the last game of the round-robin before losing 54-55.

The Magic's only other loss of the competition was against non-qualifiers the Force in the second round at Auckland.

Metcalfe said it would have been good for Hamilton if the Magic had beaten the Shakers last weekend to earn a home semifinal, but suggested that the setback at Mystery Creek had been a reality check for the team, and a reminder of what lay ahead.

"It was a bit of a wake-up call, but we're happy to have received it last weekend instead of this weekend.

"We had had a golden run, winning five on the trot, including that big win in Invercargill, so maybe it wasn't a bad time to reassess where we were.

"We've had good games, but we've also put in some average performances at times, particularly in the first half of the competition, and we've still got a lot to work on."

She is hoping that the Shakers will upset the Sting in the first semifinal on Friday night to give the Magic a chance of staging the final.

"Our complete focus is on the game on Sunday, but in an ideal world I'd love the Shakers to do the business in Invercargill, and for the final to come to Hamilton."