Netball: Scholz's injury dents Magic's prospects

The great New Zealand hope in the transtasman league has suffered a major dent, with Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic import Peta Scholz suffering a potentially season-ending knee injury in the weekend's win over the Central Pulse.

Scholz collapsed to the ground in agony on the stroke of quarter-time while retrieving a routine pass. The former Australian international howled in pain while receiving medical attention on court. She cut a forlorn figure on the sideline as the Magic recorded a patchy 12-goal win over the Pulse.

The hard-working midcourter will see a specialist today.

The loss of Scholz will be a huge blow for the Magic, who have once again looked to be the only Kiwi side capable of challenging for the premiership six weeks out from the play-offs.

Magic chief executive Sheryl Dawson said she would meet coach Noeline Taurua today once the prognosis is known to discuss replacement options.

Jodi Tod covered the wing defence position after Scholz was carried from the court on Saturday, with Casey Williams moving to goal-defence and Kahurangi Waititi brought on at goal-keep. But the Magic will need another midcourt option on the bench.

Former captain Amigene Metcalfe and one-time Silver Fern Debbie White are seen as possibilities.

The 34-year-old mother of two, a 54-test veteran, returned to top level netball this season after standing out in the World Seven's series win over the Silver Ferns last year. She has been one of the most consistent performers in the Magic line-up and had been enjoying the shift across the Tasman with her family.

Round eight could also prove critical for the Northern Mystics. While there is still a lot of netball to be played, tonight's clash against the Southern Steel is expected to impact strongly on the play-offs picture.

The Mystics and the Steel are both vying for the position of second-ranked New Zealand side, which, under the lop-sided one-and-a-half-round draw system, would present a strong chance to make the top four.

Steel midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase said they were well aware of what was at stake tonight.

"Our goal at the start of the year was definitely to make the top four ... Whoever comes out on top [tonight] has the inside running to make the top four."

The talent-packed Mystics lie in a disappointing seventh place on the ANZ Championship ladder, one spot below the Steel, but are coming into some dangerous form.

The Auckland side nearly pulled off an upset win over the Magic last week but let themselves down in the last three minutes of the match.

Nevertheless, the Mystics' ferocious defensive performance has the Steel a little wary coming into tonight's match.

"I thought they played really well against the Magic, and they probably had that game but let it go. So we know they're going to make us work extra hard and put us under huge pressure," said Barrett-Chase.

The Melbourne Vixens are looking to break an unexpected two-game losing streak when they meet the West Coast Fever in an all-Australian clash in tonight's late game.

ANZ CHAMPIONSHIP - Round 8

Tonight:

* 7.20pm: Southern Steel v Northern Mystics, Invercargill
* 9.05pm: Melbourne Vixens v West Coast Fever, Melbourne