Magic down Fever by 11
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic ended West Coast Fever's finals hopes, broke the New Zealand hoodoo and consolidated top spot in the trans-Tasman netball competition with an 11-goal win in Perth on Sunday.
The 49-38 victory was the Magic's 11th from 12 games this year and they became the first New Zealand team to win in Australia in almost two full seasons of the league.
The loss put the Fever out of contention for the finals with a 5-7 record and just one game remaining but they've improved on last year's two wins.
The Magic's Irene van Dyk didn't miss from 16 shots in the first half and dominated defender Susan Fuhrmann.
She finished with 29-of-31 and her attacking partner Maria Tutaia shot 20-of-25.
Fever's Caitlin Bassett was put under great pressure from Leana de Bruin and Casey Williams and only finished with 30 goals.
Goal attack Bianca Franklin was out with a calf strain and her replacement Nikala Smith struggled shooting 7-of-17.
With Bassett uncharacteristically missing four shots in the first quarter and van Dyk going 9-from-9 for the Magic, the visitors led 14-9 at quarter-time, but Bassett got going in the second as the Fever levelled at 17-17.
However, the Magic went on a five-goal run to lead 26-19 at the main break.
Little changed in the third quarter as Waikato/Bay of Plenty extended their lead to nine and ran out comfortable 11-goal winners.
The Fever's season ends at home to the Queensland Firebirds with the Magic going to Adelaide to take on a Thunderbirds team trying to snatch a top two spot.
The Magic must beat the Thunderbirds to secure a home semi-final and that is coach Noeline Taurua's focus rather than breaking the hoodoo of not winning outside NZ.
""It wasn't one of the things that we talked about and no matter if we played in Mars or Invercargill, we just needed the two points and it's good to get them. In our planning that goes back to November, we earmarked these two games as being crucial for us," Taurua said.
"It's not over and we are very aware of that. This last one is what decides who gets a home semi-final and for us that is a huge thing. It is a massive game for both teams and they have very good individuals, and are progressing quite nicely."
Magic defender Casey Williams was happy with her effort on Bassett.
"When you're in the air or going for balls, any pressure that is on Caitlin, or anybody, can cause fumbling and her hands are weak so you can attack them. It's about the contesting and not letting her get any free ball. Any ball she gets there has to be pressure on her," Williams said.
Fever coach Jane Searle felt her team's effort was good outside of a poor shooting percentage and the sold out crowd was a good reflection of the improved team performance in 2009.
"The way we played was pretty good and we had two more attempts at goal, but we just need to shoot better. We kept them under 50 goals and had as much of the play, but shot 66 per cent which is way below and last week it was 94," Searle said.
"This group is exciting and people want to come and watch. People know we have an exciting brand of netball and we'll only be bigger and better next year."
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