Netball: Magic look to lift their game

Magic coach Noeline Taurua still isn't happy, even though her side lead the competition.

The former Silver Fern wasn't impressed with her side's efforts against the Shakers last weekend and is looking for a better performance tonight when they line up against the Flames.

It took the defending champions well into the third quarter to pull away from the Wellington side to win 62-43.

"We need to progress every time we take the court," says Taurua. "Last week we didn't ... So we need to make sure we do that in this game."

Asked if the Irene van Dyk transfer saga had affected her side, Taurua said she felt it had brought them closer.

"Obviously it would have had some impact on Irene personally."

Not that it showed.

Van Dyk netted an impressive 55 goals from 56 attempts in the match.

The match marked the return of Silver Fern defender Casey Williams, who broke her foot during the Commonwealth Games.

Her clash against Flames shooter Shelley Norris will be of interest tonight as will the big battle between Silver Ferns Vilimaina Davu and Van Dyk.

The Magic beat the Flames by 17 last year but the return of Julie Seymour has clearly boosted the Canterbury side.

In tonight's other game the Flyers face the Shakers in Palmerston North. The match pits Flyers coach Tanya Dearns against her old Silver Ferns teammate, Waimarama Taumaunu, who coaches the Shakers.

If the Shakers play as well as they did last week against the Magic, they should be the first of the two teams to record a win.

NATIONAL BANK CUP ROUND THREE

Tonight: Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic v Canterbury Flames, Christchurch; Western Flyers v Capital Shakers, Palmerston North; both 7.30pm.

Saturday: Southern Sting v Otago Rebels, Invercargill, 4pm.

Sunday: Auckland Waitakere Diamonds v Northern Force, North Shore 1pm, live TV One.