Kia Magic look to keep shifting in the right direction
Press Release May 16, 2013
Captain Laura Langman is hoping a momentum shift and quick turnaround will work in Kia Magic’s favour for Saturday’s all-important ANZ Championship netball contest against Southern Steel in Invercargill.
With both teams equal on points, Kia Magic have a tenuous hold on fourth place on the ladder courtesy of goal percentages from their southern rivals as the pair vie to be the top New Zealand franchise.
After a stuttering campaign to date, Langman is not getting carried away but was buoyed by the progress made in Kia Magic’s come-from-behind four-goal win over Central Pulse in their latest outing.
``We certainly broke through some stubborn ground that had been lingering a little bit which was really heartening but the reality is we still have a long way to go,’’ she said.
``We did get thumped by the Thunderbirds (10 days ago by 12 goals) so to be really competitive against all teams we’ve still got a lot of work in progress. But it was certainly a good shift in the right direction.’’
With much attention focused on their inconsitent attack line, there were improved signs for Kia Magic against Pulse, particularly in the second half where goal attack Ellen Halpenny stepped up to shoulder the bulk of the scoring load ahead of Irene van Dyk while Khao Watts also added impetus from wing attack.
``It was good game for our combination confidence as a whole,’’ Langman said. ``From a team point of view, we played much more unit-focused rather than just as individuals working for themselves. That was the really heartening outcome.’’
With Jess Tuki coming back from a five-week injury lay-off, Kia Magic also now have a strong depth of options. While Tuki was a little rusty at times against Pusle, she will be better for the run and adds strength to the overall team base.
``I thought the changes we made in the Pulse game were noticeable,’’ Langman said. ``It’s not saying someone’s having a bad game, it’s purely a change of dynamics and chemistry. And sometimes that’s all we’re after.’’
Langman has been impressed with Steel’s efforts to date, the southerners winning their last three games with their proficiency on attack and defence, the tactical brain of captain Jodi Brown and the finishing prowess of their shooter Jhaniele Fowler, the league’s tallest player at 1.98m.
The Jamaican import has been a revelation in her first season, her height and accuarcy playing a leading hand in Steel’s success.
``They have been going really well and are a team that have been flying under the radar a bit,’’ Langman said. ``They’ve got Jhaniele under the hoop which is a huge asset for them and Jodi has very much been acting as that third feeder for them, so that’s going to present a good challenge.
``We’ll probably have to change our defensive strategy and focus for this week but on attack it will be buisness as usual.’’
Comparing the Steel’s style as similar to Pulse’s in terms of their zone-type defence, Langman is hoping their previous outing has given them enough of a heads-up and preparation to counter it.
The fleet-footed Langman, who was at her industrious best against Pulse, is not concerned by the short four-day turnaround between matches for Kia Magic.
``If anything it keeps the clip up,’’ she said. ``Gaining momentum from the Pulse game, hopefully we can carry that same energy into the Steel game and it could work in our favour.’’
Jane Hunt
Kia Magic media liaison
Ph: 021-107-0287
