Extra time thriller for Kia Magic
Defending champions Kia Magic needed extra time before pulling off a thrilling 65-62 win over the in-form Queensland Firebirds on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
With their season on the line, Kia Magic produced their best form at the right time in an intense and exciting contest, fortunes ebbing and flowing throughout as they became the first New Zealand team to win in Australia this season.
Intensity grew in a momentum swinging final quarter, Kia Magic ahead by one with just seconds remaining at the end of regulation time before Firebirds levelled up at 51-all to send the match into overtime.
In what was huge game for both teams, Firebirds pushing to cement a top two spot and Kia Magic fighting to keep their top four hopes alive, things looked decidedly more rosey for the home team when they scored the first four goals of extra time.
Trailing by two in the second half of extra time, Kia Magic finished the stronger, captain Laura Langman dictating on attack while the impressive Casey Kopua stole the vital intercept to give the visitors a winning buffer.
Captain Laura Geitz received a rapturous welcome back from the home crowd after two weeks away from the game following the death of her father as she slotted into her customary goalkeeper’s role. She was joined in defence by Jacinta Messer while Nicola Gray got the nod at wing attack.
For Kia Magic, the experienced Jodi Tod-Elliott got her first start of the season, slotting in at wing defence while Ellen Halpenny (goal attack) and Khao Watts (wing attack) were the preferred options in the attack line.
It was Kia Magic who made the best of starts, influential defenders Leana de Bruin and Kopua being prominent early on in picking off turnover ball from Firebirds key strike weapon Romelda Aiken.
Halpenny stepped up her workload, doing a lot of the hard yards outside the circle as Kia Magic’s attackers showed strong ball security and accurate finishing under the post.
Seven unanswered goals by Kia Magic forced Firebirds into early change with Chelsea Pitman coming on for Gray but the visitors, on the back of more possession, held strong to lead 13-8 at the first break despite some inspiring play from Geitz.
There were more changes for Firebirds on the restart with Demelza McCloud coming on for Messer and Abby McCullock taking over from Gabrielle Simpson. There was more intent from the home side who made several surges in an exhilarating quarter of high quality netball.
But Kia Magic continued to show patience on attack, the link between Irene van Dyk and Langman proving seamless as the visitors’ kept them at bay. Firebirds were not helped by a high penalty count, Kia Magic finishing the stanza strongly to maintain their buffer when leading 24-19 at the main break.
Led by Natalie Medhurst, who became more involved after a quiet opening spell, it was a fired up home team who returned for the second half. Kia Magic struggled to contain the rampant home team who made a storming start to outscore the visitors’ 7-1. Finding an easier passage to goal, Aiken made her presence felt to push the home team into a four-goal lead.
Firebirds defensive effort also stepped up with Geitz, McCloud and McCulloch prominent before a strong finish from Kia Magic helped repair some of the damage. However, it was the home team who held the edge 37-35 heading into the last break and the promise of a thrilling run to the line.
