Netball: Scratchy Magic claw to win over gutsy Steel

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic player, Irene van Dyk. Photo / Alan Gibson

A second-quarter meltdown almost cost the Magic two points and their transtasman league season after being pushed to the brink by a gutsy Southern Steel side in a low-scoring game.

After leading 12-7 at the first break, the Magic fell into a hole in the second quarter, managing just four goals as they struggled to break through a committed Steel defence, allowing the home side to streak ahead to a 20-16 lead at halftime.

But in the third period the Magic clawed their way back to level the score at 28-all heading into the final spell.

The five-goal scoreline probably wasn't a fair reflection of what a close-run game it was, with the Magic only breaking free of the Steel in the final few minutes of the match.

The score was locked at 33-all with just over three minutes remaining. But Magic captain Laura Langman and experienced midcourter Peta Scholz pulled off game-breaking intercepts to get their side over the line.

Although disappointed her side made life so difficult for themselves, Langman was pleased with the way they pulled off the defensive stops and calmly converted turnover ball in the final stages.

"It was our third game in nine days and I think that showed, but man we showed huge heart towards the end there," she said.

The win all but guarantees the Magic a place in the playoffs for the fourth straight year - only an unlikely run of results could prevent the Waikato side from making the finals.

But Langman admitted concern about the "trough" her side are experiencing, with last night's result following Thursday night's unconvincing win over the Canterbury Tactix.

"There were a lot of turnovers and individual errors ... going into the finals series you're going to get punished for that, so that's certainly something we need to tidy up before the Thunderbirds game."

The Magic may take some comfort in the knowledge that their rivals for a top four spot have also faltered in recent weeks.

While the Firebirds have sewn up the minor premiership, the Magic, Mystics, Swifts and Vixens are battling it out for the three remaining playoffs spots.

Both the Australian teams have stumbled badly, with the Vixens suffering an embarrassing 57-36 loss to the Firebirds on Thursday night, while the Swifts were upstaged by the Thunderbirds in Adelaide on Saturday.

But the Vixens did redeem themselves with a 54-38 win over the West Coast Fever in Perth yesterday.

And the Swifts have an opportunity to get their campaign back on track against the Mystics in Sydney tonight.

Still, the Thunderbirds' win over the Swifts proved they are a dangerous opponent.

The Magic will need to address their dysfunctional attack if they are to challenge the Thunderbirds on their home soil on Sunday.

Magic 38

Steel 33