Netball: Strong start silences local fans

The cowbells could probably have been heard throughout Southland last night as the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic won the National Bank Cup.

After losing their home advantage through the lack of a suitable venue, the Magic were forced to venture down to what has become one of the most intimidating venues in the country and take on one of New Zealand's most successful sporting teams.

Spurred on by that, the Magic didn't disappoint their many fans who made the journey to Invercargill.

Magic captain Amigene Metcalfe said her side were always after a strong start.

"Playing down here you have to get ahead to quieten the crowd. So that is what we did.

"Missing out on a home final gave us more motivation. We knew we were good enough to win and coming down here, it was our home final, we deserved it so we had to win."

While the Magic outplayed the Sting in every facet, the key to their success was their defence, in particular youngster Casey Williams who totally shut down Sting duo Tania Dalton and Donna Loffhagen.

"All year everyone has done their job and everyone did it to night," Metcalfe said.

As for those rowdy Waikato supporters who dressed in red and black stuck out like sore thumbs in the aqua coloured crowd?

"It was so awesome to have them down here.

"It was really like we had people down here looking after us," Metcalfe said.

Despite their convincing lead throughout the match Magic coach Noeline Taurua said she couldn't rest until the final whistle has sounded.

"They are a class side, they always come back and that has been their forte."

For the Sting the match marks the end of an impressive era and possible the end the line for shooters Donna Loffhagen and Tania Dalton.

Sting coach Robyn Broughton conceded her side were outplayed.