Kia Magic return to winning ways
Veteran shooter Irene van Dyk was back to her efficient best as Kia Magic posted a comprehensive 65-45 win over Canterbury Tactix in Tauranga on Monday.
Having to cool their heels for two weeks since going down to West Coast Fever in their last outing, Kia Magic couldn’t wait to make amends. Restricted to just 15 goals against Fever, van Dyk led the charge with a perfect 38 goals from 38 attempts. She was well supported by the ever-improving Ellen Halpenny who returned a confident 21 from 25 after playing three-quarters of the match.
It wasn’t always clinical from Kia Magic but it proved a productive outing in clearing the cobwebs after their bye weekend and setting a platform for the road ahead in clinching their 12th successive win and continued unbeaten run over the southerners.
Jess Waitapu, still feeling the effects of a heavy knock received in the Fever match, got the nod at goal attack while coach Noeline Taurua opted to switch her Silver Ferns defensive pairing with Casey Kopua going to goalkeeper and Leana de Bruin to goal defence.
Jane Watson assumed the goalkeeper’s role ahead of an injured Zoe Walker for Tactix and Sophia Fenwick the goal attack’s bib ahead of Julianna Naoupu.
Solid Tactix defence kept Kia Magic in check early on, the visitors’ back three stalling the free flowing attacking style enjoyed by the home team. However, little errors proved their undoing, Kia Magic pouncing and pushing into a position of control when leading 18-9 at the first break.
Halpenny took over from Waitapu on the resumption where both teams were guilty of messy starts. It was a particularly stuttering stanza from Kia Magic who progressed in fits and starts, unable to find their timing. Kopua, de Bruin and Elias Shadrock provided plenty of hustle and bustle on defence to pick up a numerous intercepts and deflections but many were lost in the transfer through court.
Tactix could not fully capitalise, hesitancy slowing their attacking drive while danger shooter Jo Harten was well contained by Kia Magic’s in-circle defenders, the crack shot being restricted to just nine goals in the first half. But it was the visitors who chipped away, managing to outpoint an inconsistent Kia Magic by a solitary goal during the second quarter. Out by as much as 10 goals at one stage, Kia Magic eventually rounded out the half holding a 31-23 lead.
Mt Albert Grammar old girl Nadia Loveday made her first appearance at this level for Kia Magic in the second half, taking over from Khao Watts at wing attack, the teenager getting the immediate seal of approval with an assured and confident outing.
Kopua and de Bruin switched back to their more familiar roles as Kia Magic cranked up another gear in the second half. The pair along with Shadrock provided a relentless defensive screen in blanking out Tactix scoring opportunities.
At the other end van Dyk and Halpenny piled on the points, the combination growing impressively as Kia Magic went on to out-score their opponents 18-8 to take a firm grip on proceedings and a commanding 49-31 lead at the last break.
Play loosened up during the fourth quarter with the action see-sawing back and forth for long passages, each team having their moments. Kia Magic were never seriously threatened but Tactix were left to rue their high turnover rate – 35 for the match – which put them on the back foot throughout.
