Netball: Magic boost confidence ahead of final pool games

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic player Grace Ramussen.

After a couple of stumbles, the Magic took a crucial step forward in their quest to lock in a finals spot with a 74-56 victory over the Tactix in Tauranga.

Consecutive losses to the Pulse and the Steel in the past two weeks may have sent a shudder through the Magic camp, but it wasn't enough to deter them from their aim of cementing a top-four position.

After Monday night's result they're now sitting in second spot, on equal points with ladder leaders the Vixens.

The 18-goal win, marked by flourishes of Magic brilliance, was just the confidence boost the Waikato Bay of Plenty side needed with two major clashes - against the Swifts and the Firebirds - remaining in pool play.

Yet it was an unsettled start from the Magic. The home side struggled to find options on attack, especially trying to set up goal shoot Jo Harten.

The Tactix kept them on their toes on defence.

Centre Jade Clarke dictated the play for her side, smoothly serving Mwai Kumwenda. But it was still a mission getting the ball around the long arms of Magic captain Casey Kopua, and the Magic led 16-13 after a burst of intensity just before the first quarter break.

The Magic stretched their rested legs, immediately extending the difference to six. But just as quickly it was wiped out by unnecessary errors around the Magic shooting circle.

Kumwenda grew in strength, managing to wriggle away from her high-profile defenders, notching up 24 goals in two quarters.

But Harten and Ellen Halpenny upped their confidence levels at the other end too - Harten contributing 25 points - and a 10-goal chasm opened up. A better organised defence from the Magic forced the Tactix to play a shorter attacking game, leaving them flummoxed and Kumwenda's hands harder to find.

Up 36-26, the Magic spiced things up in the line-up, bringing the experienced Bessie Manu into the game at wing defence and switching roles for Harten and Halpenny - a move they had worked on in training.

The Tactix looked to their new defender Hannah Broederlow to make a difference at goal defence, but the Magic continued to charge on.

More pathways opened up through to the shooters, with Grace Rasmussen soaring around the court, and the Magic had built a handsome 54-41 lead going into the final spell.

With the pressure eased, the Magic were allowed to show off their skills and speed. Leana de Bruin and Kopua effectively shut down the Tactix shooting circle, and Halpenny relished the goal shoot job.