Magic edge Swifts in sudden-death thriller
In a dramatic final quarter turnaround, Kia Magic produced a storming finishing to pip the NSW Swifts 50-49 in the sudden-death Minor Semi-Final in Sydney on Sunday.
Magic will now play the winner of the Melbourne Vixens vs Queensland Firebirds in next week’s Preliminary Final.
Grabbing the lead for the first time early in a gripping final quarter, from where the lead changed hands several times, Magic pounced when it mattered most. A couple of missed goals by the home team opened the door.
Big game players Casey Kopua and Leana de Bruin delivered in the final quarter while England import Jo Harten was a model of composure under the hoop in the run home, her shooting partner Ellen Halpenny proving a valuable ally throughout.
Key Swifts players Kim Green and Sharni Layton looked to have sealed the match when producing vital turnovers late in the piece but Magic’s fighting spirit couldn’t be denied.
The home team controlled the first half but were mown down by the less-fancied Magic, who have continued to exceed expectations after largely being written off ahead of the season.
Beaten by 12 goals by the same team two weeks ago, Magic dug deep to keep in the contest in a dour early struggle. The passion from both couldn’t be faulted, the last stanza providing an exciting and tense spectacle as tired players from both teams threw everything into the do-or-die contest.
Swifts welcomed back wing attack Sarah Wall from injury while rookie Samantha Sinclair gained her second successive start for Magic at wing defence.
There was nothing in a tentative and tight opening quarter, the defensive efforts of both teams restricting attacking flow. Captain Green was an influential figure for the home team with her attacking raids in forming a reliable partnership with shooter Caitlin Thwaites.
At the other end, Magic had to work harder to get the ball circle-bound but once there, Harten and Halpenny showed their accuracy under the hoop.
It was goal-for-goal stalemate before a late surge of four unanswered goals gave the home team a 14-12 lead at the first break.
Picking up from where they left off, Swifts scored the first two on the resumption as they stepped things up a notch in building a six-goal lead.
It looked at times as if the Magic were about to unravel, their poor execution on attack making easy pickings for Layton and Sonia Mkoloma. Growing in confidence, the home team took the initiative with Green, again the key figure, and shooter Susan Pratley, playing a strong hand.
Tightening up across all areas of the court, Magic got back in the groove with some much-needed turnover ball as they chipped away at the deficit.
There was nothing pretty about it but Magic scrapped their way back into the contest, making the most of their opportunities. Halpenny continued her strong game while Silver Ferns defenders de Bruin and Kopua lifted their pressure on the Swifts shooters, helping the visitors’ close the gap to just one.
In a repeat effort, Swifts finished the stanza strongly to take a 28-24 lead into the main break.
Showing more confidence to go straight to the post, Magic made the best of starts to the third stanza. With Halpenny continuing to show composure and accuracy from long range, the visitors again drew within one in a momentum swinging and absorbing contest.
Swifts replied with four goals of the own, seemingly holding the edge but Magic refusing to succumb. De Bruin and Kopua came up with some big plays to ensure the scores remained close, the Swifts just keeping their noses in front to lead 40-38 at the last break.
