Kia Magic lose out to impressive Steel
Kia Magic’s hopes of defending their ANZ Championship title have nosedived after losing 65-58 to an impressive Southern Steel in Invercargill on Saturday.
The result ensured Steel leapfrogged Kia Magic into fourth place as the southerners recorded their fourth straight win in a row for the first time since 2010.
Very tidy and efficient throughout, a decisive second quarter proved influential for Steel as they powered away from Kia Magic with a commanding 10 minutes of netball. With three-quarters of the match close and tight, Kia Magic will look back and rue their poor second quarter efforts where they coughed up too many turnovers to leave their title defence looking decidedly shaky.
Kia Magic fought hard to pull back a nine-goal halftime deficit but came up short against a well-drilled and accurate Steel team in posting their fourth loss for the season.
The southerners presented with a predictable and settled line-up while Kia Magic opted to start with Ellen Halpenny at goal attack, Jess Tuki, wing attack, and Elias Shadrock, wing defence.
There was little to separate the teams in a free-flowing and high-scoring opening stanza. Respective goal attacks, Jodi Brown, for Steel, and Halpenny, for Kia Magic, were influential figures with key targets Jhaniele Fowler and Irene van Dyk well contained.
Halpenny stepped up impressively, taking on the bulk of the shooting while Brown was equally impressive for the home team. The 1.98m Fowler had to work hard for her keep, Kia Magic defenders Leana de Bruin and Casey Kopua keeping her relatively quiet early on.
There were few opportunities in a tight opening, Kia Magic just nosing in front to lead 18-16 at the first break.
The arm wrestle continued on the resumption as the pair continued to go toe-to-toe on the back of good service into the circle. With the tempo lifting, it was Steel who broke the game open.
Edging into the lead, Steel took off with a memorable second quarter as they powered to a commanding position. Captain Brown was a towering figure with her all-round general play, showing her mastery with her feeding skills, shooting accuracy and ability to direct play.
Steel attackers Courtney Tairi and Phillipa Finch found Fowler with more regularity as the long-limbed Jamaican made her presence felt. At the other end of the court, strong pressure from Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick and Rachael Rasmussen helped the home team reel in a steady stream of defensive turnover ball.
Two sets of five-goal unanswered scoring streaks gave all the impetus to Steel, who marched to a decisive lead as Kia Magic faltered.
Looking to stem the tide, Khao Watts (wing attack) and Jodi Tod-Elliott (wing defence) were introduced late in the piece for Kia Magic but it was Steel who stormed to a 38-29 lead at the main break.
There was plenty of intent from Kia Magic on the restart, four unanswered goals putting them right back into contention as momentum swung back and forth during the third stanza.
There was no lessening of intensity, precision passing through court with the finishing touches provided by Brown and Fowler conspiring to keep Kia Magic at bay. Both teams had their moments, the visitors holding the slight edge to outpoint Steel by two goals but their cause not helped by Halpenny’s drop in accuracy.
As a result, Steel held on to handy 50-43 heading down the home straight.
The slightly build Jess Waitapu replaced Halpenny for the last quarter as Kia Magic closed to within four goals in the opening minutes but Steel’s composure, staunch defence and finesse of Fowler ensured the home team a defining win.
