Netball: Momentum with Magic

The Kia Waikato/BOP Magic might have one eye on the semifinals coming up on June 30 but first they have to get past the Mystics at the ASB Centre at Baypark tonight.

The potential for a banana skin slip up is high as the Mystics are bottom of the table but more than capable of beating any other team in the ANZ Championship if they turn up with their A game.

The Magic are set to become the first defending champions in the competition's history to make the play-offs the following year. Their captain and centre, Laura Langman, says they are in a positive frame of mind especially after beating the Melbourne Vixens 58-51 last game in a repeat of last year's grand final.

"That was a key shift for us in terms of us gaining that momentum. We still have one more round robin game and are still guaranteed two more weeks hopefully. Firebirds and Vixens were certainly big wins for us," Langman said.

"The season has just rocketed by this year which is a good thing as the energy levels are quite high for this time of the year, so all is well. We have certainly clicked into our processes well, week in and week out, and we are getting much more efficient in what we do and how we operate.

"That is usually a really good thing this time of year."

Langman is wary of the Mystics who have been such a competitive team until this season.

"They showed they are a team you certainly can not take lightly. They have got talent throughout the court and could turn it on whenever they want, so they are a huge threat."

Much will depend on the core internationals in the Magic team of Langman, Casey Kopua. Leana de Bruin and Irene van Dyke if they are to have a chance of winning consecutive titles.

"In theory we should be dominating," Langman laughed. "We just go about our jobs on court to the best of our ability. It is not a conscious decision to step up, it is more to make sure we do our jobs and do them well."

Langman is looking forward to playing at the ASB Arena tonight hoping Tauranga fans will turn up in their droves to fill the impressive stadium and roar the Magic into the play-offs.

Ticket details: TicketDirect www.ticketdirect.co.nz; Netball BOP office ph 5710886; Baycourt Theatre Durham St, Tauranga.