A buzzer beater from Avis Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic shooter Saviour Tui has netted her team an emotional one-goal victory – their first win of the season.
Waiting seven long rounds to bring their best, the Magic beat Stars Netball 51-50 at Claudelands Arena on Saturday and in doing so hurting their opponents’ chances of extending their season.
The thriller in Hamilton came down to the wire with the Magic holding their nerve and Tui calmly slotting the winning goal in the last second of play to the delight of their loyal fans.
It was an arm-wrestle from the opening whistle as the hosts eyed up a maiden win of the season and led by a stand-out performance from midcourters Ariana Cable-Dixon and Georgie Edgecombe – who both got key intercepts in a tense fourth quarter – the Magic had their tails up from the start but needed to pull everything out of their toolbox to secure the points.
For the Stars, the sole bonus point that they take home will be of little comfort as they now rely heavily on other results going their way to reach the Finals Series.
Experience was the go-to for Stars coach Temepara Bailey who opted for Samon Nathan at centre, in the continued absence of Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, while veteran Leana de Bruin got the nod at goal keeper.
Looking to build on their extra-time performance last week, the Magic stuck with a settled line with Sarah Guiney and Tui again preferred in the shooting circle.
Forced to play a short game on attack, the Magic were patient with ball in hand and jumped out to an early lead. Desperate to keep their season alive however, the Stars also kept their composure to stay in touch weathering the full-court defensive pressure from the Magic.
With nothing to lose and with commitment across the board, the Magic grew in confidence and at the midway point enjoyed a five-goal buffer – flirting with held-balls and the sideline but backing up their team-mates with plenty of success.
The defensive unit of Erena Mikaere, Oceane Maihi and Edgecombe tightened the screws on the Stars frontline and picked up
Stars newcomer Teuila Sotutu replaced Nathan with just over five minutes to play but little could rattle the Magic team which went into the quarter break with a 16-10 lead.
Bailey made just one change on the resumption of play with de Bruin and Kate Burley switching bibs as the Stars surged into the second spell with a three-goal run – releasing the ball quickly into Amelia Walmsley who was a strong target in the circle.
Nathan also returned to the court, coming on for Claire O’Brien at wing attack as the visitors looked to penetrate the Magic defensive wall.
But a turnover picked up by Mikaere swung momentum again as the Magic started to take control before a time out for the Stars and two-point shot to Martina Salmon helped close the gap again to five goals.
A frenzied finish to the half left the difference at five, the Stars trailing 24-29 at the main break and the titanic tussle continued into the third quarter.
Guiney was a workhorse for the Magic’s attacking unit and putting up her share of attempts in another strong performance from the rookie goal attack while the pinpoint feeding from Cable-Dixon into Tui was frustrating for the Stars defence.
Errors from both teams marred the late stages for the quarter and it was the Stars which made the most of the messiness and dominated the last five minutes to level the score at 37-37 with one spell to play.
