Netball: Toil and trouble remain for Magic

By RICHARD BOOCK

You have to feel for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic.

The side who square off against the Shakers in a crucial national netball league game in Hamilton tonight have been the most impressive team of the round-robin and in normal circumstances would have at least secured a playoffs spot by now.

Instead, they have a mathematical chance of missing out completely.

The Magic are in second-equal place on the Coca Cola Cup table, and head into the final weekend of pool play with no ambiguity or confusion hovering over their assignment. Beat the Shakers, and they could surge to the top of the table. Lose, and they might tumble into fifth spot on goal-differential.

The league's most consistent side, the Magic have embraced the philosophy of being a star team rather than a team of stars this season. Their cohesion and togetherness has fuelled a standout campaign, highlighted by wins over the defending champions, Sting, and present leaders, the Canterbury Flames.

Their only hiccup was a 53-61 second-round loss to the R'toto Force, who are level on points with the Magic but finish the round-robin section of the competition with a bye.

Magic coach Ruth Aitken said it was a "bizarre situation" when her side could play so well for so long and still not be sure of making the play-offs heading into the last round.

"We've had one loss and have played well in a highly competitive league and yet we're still facing the gun if we lose against the Shakers," she said in Hamilton. "You wouldn't credit it, but it's the reality of the situation and we accept that.

"It reflects the closeness of the competition and the fact that we haven't had one or two teams charging through to the top of the table. It's great for the league and for netball, but it's not so great when you're on the nail-biting end of things."

It looks a classic case of the league's most unpredictable side up against the league's most organised.

The Shakers managed to beat the Sting in Wellington, but lost against the Flames and the Force, and only just prevailed in two other close scraps - a 73-71 win over the Western Flyers and a 59-56 win over the Auckland Diamonds.

On the other hand, the Magic have been (round two apart) a picture of consistency, seldom crushing their opponents, but showing a handy ability to slam the lid at the business end of the game.

Their effort in beating the Sting at Stadium Southland last weekend hinted at a side who were not only a dab hand at analysis and strategy, but were also hitting their straps at a useful time of the season.

"We've been encouraged by the form of the players, but we're also aware that on any given day any side could beat any opponent," Aitken said.

"Once we line up on the court against the Shakers the past is irrelevant - including our past form.

"I mean, we have played well, but if we hadn't been so kind in handing out so many bonus points around the place, we might not be in this position in the first place."

The other blockbuster of the weekend is in Christchurch tomorrow, when the Flames not only have a chance to end the round-robin as the top seed, but can also help to eliminate the Sting - one of the competition's biggest threats.

If the Shakers beat the Magic and the Flames beat the Sting, the defending champions will be knocked out of the playoffs - leaving the Coca Cola Cup destined for a side other than Otago or Southland for the first time.

In the lower half of the table today, the Diamonds and the Flyers host the Rebels and the Cometz, respectively.