Magic fall short in semifinal to Swifts
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic have been beaten by the NSW Swifts in the semifinal of the transtasman netball competition at Claudelands Arena, Hamilton.
What could have been one of the most remarkable comebacks in the competition from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic netball team was not to be.
The Magic were beaten 60-52 by a dominant NSW Swifts team at a packed Claudelands Arena on Sunday night.
Down 21-31 at halftime, the Magic hit back in the third quarter with a crucial change in the goal attack position, bringing on Ellen Halpenny for Malia Paseka. Accurate shooting by Halpenny and goal shooter Jo Harten closed the gap to within two by the end of the third quarter.
However, poor attacking play in the fourth quarter saw the Magic turn over possession and allow the Swifts to score a rally of points, seeing them book a place in the grand final against the Queensland Firebirds.
The game started close with both teams scoring goal for goal, leaving the Magic up 15-14 after the first quarter. This was as close as the Magic got.
The defensive pair of Leana de Bruin and Casey Kopua tried to ignite a comeback with accurate three-foot stretches and significant intercepts, but opportunities were lost bringing the ball down the court.
Netball enthusiast Robyn Cowley has been a proud supporter of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic for many years.
The Rotorua woman tries to attend many live games as she can, however confessed this was her first live Magic game of the season.
“It was a great game to watch and I’m very proud of the Magic getting in the semis.”
Although proud of their comeback, Cowley wonders if Australian players are just fitter and quicker.
“They [Magic] played really well in the third quarter and showed more positivity … But the Aussie teams exude confidence and physicality.
“Sometimes I think their body contact deliberately upsets our players.”
This now means there will be an all-Australian final with the NSW Swifts meeting top of table Queensland Firebirds next weekend in Brisbane.
Cowley doesn’t seem too fazed by the final now there are no New Zealand teams in it.
“I hope the Swifts go all the way now but I guess the Firebirds will be favourites.”
