Netball: Magic squander big lead for draw

The Magic's Sam Sinclair (right) and Mystics player Temalisi Fakahokotau look for the ball last night. Photo / Ben Fraser

The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic blew a big lead in the fourth quarter to draw with the Northern Mystics 45-all in Rotorua.

The Mystics have the best record of any New Zealand side in the ANZ Championship this season and managed to pull back a big deficit last night at the Energy Events Centre.

The Magic, who are without injured stars Casey Kopua and Courtney Tairi, will be disappointed with the result after leading by nine goals at one stage in the fourth quarter.

Mystics goal attack Maria Tutaia made the play of the night, sinking a long shot to tie the match after time was up.

The Magic now have a record of two wins, one draw and three losses this season.

The first quarter was a close tussle as neither side was able to build an early lead.

A shot by Ellen Halpenny at the end of the first quarter was the only score that separated the sides, with the Magic leading 13-12 at the first break.

Centre Sam Sinclair was right in the action from the start, during her first match for the Magic in her hometown.

She had a tough assignment up against the opposing centre Laura Langman but was a strong presence throughout the game.

The Magic put together a solid second quarter which pleased the noisy home crowd.

Magic goal shoot Jo Harten was in brilliant form as she helped the home side push out to a seven-point lead at half time, 28-21.

Magic fans Margaret Petch (left), Daniel Best, 11, Lisa Hazel and Troy Hazel, 12, cheer on their side in Rotorua last night. Photo / Ben Fraser

After the half time break, Harten gave the crowd and her coach Julie Fitzgerald a scare when she went down holding her right ankle. Fortunately, she was able to continue after medical treatment.

One of the Mystics star players Catherine Latu was the next to go down with an ankle injury and was unable to continue.

The Mystics pushed hard during the remainder of the third quarter but only managed to reduce the half time margin by one point, trailing 38-32 at the start of the fourth quarter.

After a good start to the fourth by the Magic, the Mystics began to get a roll on.

Former Magic coach Noeline Taurua, now the assistant coach of the Mystics, no doubt added a a few words of encouragement for the visitors, during a timeout halfway through the fourth.

The Mystics got within two points of the Magic, after a series of errors from both sides.

Jamie-Lee Price came up with what looked to be a big defensive play to help relieve some of the pressure for the Magic.

But the Mystics showed plenty of heart to tie the game right at the death.