Netball: More Magic injury woes

Magic player Jo Harten, left, and Sharni Layton of the Swifts contest possession last night. Photo / Alan Gibson

Star Waikato-Bay of Plenty shooter Harten forced out in loss to Thunderbirds.

Another week, another injury concern for the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic.

After a spirited opening three quarters, the Magic slumped to a five-goal loss to title favourites the NSW Swifts in Tauranga last night. But Magic coach Julie Fitzgerald has more concerns than her young side's ability to maintain their intensity across four quarters, with the side suffering another injury blow last night, this time to star shooter Jo Harten.

Still reeling from the loss of Silver Fern midcourter Courtney Tairi to a season-ending injury in week one, there was more bad news for the Magic last night with Harten forced from the court mid-way through the second spell, when the scores were locked at 19-all, with what looked to be a chest injury.

Harten crashed to the floor after collecting the shoulder of teammate Grace Rasmussen as they tried to chase down a loose ball. She tried to play on following the injury break, but lasted only a few minutes before aggravating the injury again as she stretched to pull in a high ball. At this stage it is not known how serious the injury is, but Harten looked to be in some pain as she left the court.

Fitzgerald will be sweating on the fitness of her star shooter, who is one of the few senior players in a team of youngsters.

The Waikato-Bay of Plenty side are already down three players on the group they signed last year, losing captain Casey Kopua to a serious knee injury and promising young defender Kelly Jury to a torn Achilles tendon, before Tairi suffered the same fate in the Magic's one-goal win over the Thunderbirds in last week's season-opener.

Despite the disruptions of the week, the Magic looked focused and confident from the opening whistle, with young midcourter Sam Sinclair, who was thrust into the starting centre role in the absence of Tairi, displaying some impressive touches with her feeding into the circle early on as the home side took a handy 7-3 lead.

While some of the feeding into the circle was impressive at each end of the court, the finishing wasn't quite as polished with both sides shooting in the low 70% in the first quarter. But what set the Magic apart in the opening spell was their rebounding - pulling down six to the Swifts' two in the first quarter, with captain Leana de Bruin leading the way.

The Magic's efforts under the goal helped them to a 13-11 lead at the first break but the Swifts continued to eat into that lead early in the second levelling 19-all.

The Magic were further rattled when Harten was forced from the court, with young shooter Malia Paseka taking some time to settle. The late lull from the Magic saw the Swifts take a 23-21 lead at the long break.

The visitors eased out to a five-goal lead as debutant Stephanie Wood made a strong impact in the shooting circle. But the Magic produced a strong rally of their own to level the scores at 34-all heading into the final turn.