The Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic came perilously close to being out of the race before it had virtually started but they are now feeling like they could continue their unprecedented record of making the playoffs every year.
After starting the ANZ Championship with four-straight losses, the powerhouse franchise, who are stacked with Silver Ferns, have won their last two and are only two points outside the top four. It has helped the competition is so tight and only four points separate third and ninth.
The Magic are the only team in the history of the competition who have made the post-season in each of the first four seasons and, while they've never won the title, their consistency has been impressive. It helps when you boast a roster including seasoned internationals Casey Williams, Irene van Dyk, Laura Langman and Leana de Bruin but Williams said they felt momentum had returned.
"Everybody's pointed out that we've had a slow start because it's just not our usual results but I think our training and everything else that we do, our expectations are so much higher than they used to be, which is progress for us and I think the last two weeks have given us huge confidence," Williams said. "It's so exciting and I love winning. It's such a different feeling and I think it just gives us a bit more confidence in our game plan and in each other."
The sixth-place Magic will expect to register their third consecutive win when they take on the Central Pulse in Porirua on Monday night but the home side have aspirations of their own and have looked better this season under new coach Robyn Broughton.
