Netball: Magic's effort to be recognised

The champion Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic netball team will be given a civic welcome in Hamilton on Friday -- and by then franchise chief executive Sheryl Dawson might have found the combination to open the box containing the National Bank Cup.

When the team arrived back in Hamilton from Invercargill on Saturday to a noisy greeting from more than 100 patient fans, Dawson was unable to remember the combination to the lock on the box.

"I know I have got it somewhere, it must be in my luggage," she told the crowd.

Despite being denied home advantage, Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic clobbered Southern Sting 65-39 to end the Southland-based team's National Bank Cup netball dominance.

The plane carrying the team was due at 12.35pm but circled Hamilton Airport for more than 50 minutes due to heavy fog.

Magic goal attack Anna Senio said management and players did not expect such a turnout.

"It was great. We had been flying around for so long that we thought anyone waiting would have given up and gone home."

Magic fan Marion DeLuca, armed with chocolates and flowers for the whole team, was not too bothered about the locked-up cup.

"I came today to show the girls that we have supported them throughout the whole season. I always knew they would bring the cup home."

The civic reception for the team will be held in Garden Place outside the council chamber at about 3pm on Friday. This would allow schoolchildren to attend.

Following the netball reception, Mayor Michael Redman will welcome the Pirtek Parramatta Eels' rugby league side to Hamilton with a function in the council's reception lounge.

The Eels play the Warriors at Waikato Stadium on Saturday night.

- WAIKATO TIMES