Magic felled by high-flying Swifts
Kia Magic were overtaken on the points table by a well-drilled NSW Swifts after falling to a 54-43 loss in Sydney on Sunday.
Swifts made a telling move in their bid to wrap up second place on the table ahead of the Finals Series when dismantling an under-pressure Magic. With a top two position on the line, the impressive Swifts outplayed the Magic for most of the contest after an event first quarter.
Recording their fifth straight win, Swifts leapfrogged their opponents into second place while Magic dropped to fourth with one round of the regular season remaining.
Relying on the experienced heads of captain Kim Green, Susan Pratley and Sonia Mkoloma, Swifts gradually ground the resistance out of Magic’s challenge with their speedy attacking play and relentless defensive efforts.
Magic had their opportunities through the strong defensive efforts of captain Casey Kopua and Leana de Bruin but could not convert at the other end, the visitor’s attack line under constant pressure.
There were no surprises in the Swifts starting line-up while Magic opted for the teenaged Jamie-Lee Price at wing defence.
The home team set the tone in an opening quarter highlighted by a succession of turnovers. But on the back of impressive ball speed through court with Green the main provider, Swifts jumped out to an early four-goal lead.
Magic struggled to breach the defensive wall of Sharni Layton, Mkoloma and Abbey McCulloch before staging a determined comeback.
With Kopua grabbing valuable rebound ball and marshalling play through court, Magic worked their way back into the contest through the accuracy of Jo Harten under the post in an absorbing and momentum swinging opening.
Twice jumping out to four-goal leads, Swifts were forced to hold off another late rally from Magic to take a narrow 13-12 lead into the first break.
The second stanza started in similar fashion to the first, the home team posting the first four goals in a feisty and willing contest.
McCulloch played a strong hand in shutting down dangerous Magic wing attack Grace Rasmussen as the visitors struck problems in their attacking third, basic errors creating too many turnovers.
Shooter Pratley came into her own with a strong showing in the second spell, enjoying a steady supply of ball as the Swifts kept their opponents at arm’s length. With a much greater supply of possession, the home team retained overall control of the match while denying their opponents. Having much less ball in their hands, Magic’s better shooting percentages helped keep them in the match as Swifts went to the main break with a 26-21 advantage.
With captain Green controlling proceedings on both attack and defence, Swifts made a decisive move in the third stanza as Magic continued to unravel.
Shooters Harten and Ellen Halpenny swapped bibs for Magic but Swifts were able to absorb everything the visitors threw at them. With Bessie Manu replacing an injured Price and the little-used Malia Paseka replacing Halpenny, Magic continued to find life difficult against the well-drilled Swifts.
Magic had opportunities from their defensive end but were undone time and again by the exploits of Mkoloma, the ever-present Green and McCulloch who helped push the home to team out to a handy 42-31 lead at the last break.
Magic made a better fist of the final stanza but by then it was a bridge too far, the Swifts making full use of the earlier damage inflicted.
