MAGIC 46
THUNDERBIRDS 42
KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's leading hope in the transtasman league, the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, called on all their reserves to overhaul the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Rotorua last night.
Down 36-33 to the powerful Australian outfit entering the final quarter, the Magic brought Energy Events Centre alive with a 7-1 run to begin the stanza.
It proved a decisive period as the Silver Ferns-laden Magic kept their game opponents at arm's length over the closing 10 minutes.
Adelaide were restricted to just six goals in the last 15 minutes, possibly struggling from the 10 hours of travel before arriving late on Sunday night.
Both sides kept the same seven players on court all night, turning the match into a war of attrition.
Led by captain and centre Natalie von Bertouch, the Thunderbirds appeared more fluid through court for much of the game but they were out-rebounded at both ends of the court.
New Zealand international shooters Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia were more accurate than their Adelaide counterparts but still looked rusty at times.
The defence of Silver Ferns Casey Williams and Joline Henry stepped up a notch in the final quelling, denying space to the quicksilver threat of goal attack Natalie Medhurst.
Up 13-10 after the first quarter, the Magic saw their lead disappear by halftime, when they trailed 23-22.
Magic captain Amigene Metcalfe described the game as a "reality check" in terms of how challenging the league would be.
"It was really physical and we knew if we just kept sticking to the game plan, the pressure would build and maybe things would go our way," she told Sky Sport.
"The defence in that last quarter picked up the ball that we needed."
Metcalfe, who was named player of the match, hoped she could be part of a better flowing attack next week against the Northern Mystics.
Von Bertouch admitted fatigue caught up with her side.
"Everyone is very exhausted because it was full-on over the whole 60 minutes," she said.
- NZPA
