LG Mystics take Magic to the wire
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Jolene Henry
The Magic needed to take a deep breath and hold their composure to repel a feisty challenge from the LG Mystics, 49-46, in Hamilton last night.
With three minutes of the thriller to go, and only one goal in it, Magic coach Noeline Taurua reminded her team to breathe, and the homeside stopped another LG Mystics attack to retain their unbeaten run against the Northern team in ANZ Championship history.
The victory, as slim as it was, keeps the Magic in the top four at the halfway point of round play. Magic captain Laura Langman admitted the LG Mystics caught them on the hop a number of times during the game: At this level, if you throw the ball away you're going to get punished, and that's what they did. It was an epic battle, and it's good to have an intense game like that.
The LG Mystics showed the form they had promised all season in keeping in touch until the final moments of the game, when their hesitancy under pressure proved costly.
Beaten by nine goals at their last encounter in round three, LG Mystics were determined to meet the challenge put up by their coach Te Aroha Keenan to overcome any swing in momentum during the game.
Magic goal shoot Irene van Dyk took little time to open the scoring and the homeside quickly nipped ahead by three; a spectacular intercept by centre Langman helped push the gap out to five after just five minutes. The LG Mystics attack stuttered under pressure from Magic, in particular circle defenders Casey Williams and Jodi Tod.
The LG Mystics returned to the court after an injury stoppage with a newfound confidence, closing back to within two as goal attack Maria Tutaia became more willing to put up her trademark long shots. Down 14-11 at quarter time, LG Mystics missed a chance to equalize soon after the break. They stayed within spitting distance, despite Magic attempts to rev up its defence again, with Williams and her shrewd timing often unsettling goal shoot Cathrine Latu.
Under the intrepid leadership of captain and centre Temepara George, the LG Mystics finally hit the front with two minutes of the quarter remaining. While both teams had been tentative and error-ridden for much of the spell, suddenly their games lifted in the battle for supremacy.
In defence, LG Mystics goal keep Althea Byfield wasn't fazed by van Dyk, swatting away shots and snapping up key intercepts, and was visibly thrilled when her treasured stolen ball was turned into points at the other end of the court.
With the score locked 24-24 at halftime, the pressure was on the Magic to stage a comeback in the second half after letting the LG Mystics back into the game. Taurua asked her side to treasure possession, and Magic did that, going goal for goal with the LG Mystics for the next seven minutes, as neither side made an error.
It was the wise head of wing defence Peta Scholz who eventually forced a turnover sparking Magic to break the deadlock, but not without the spilling of blood, as Van Dyk copped an elbow to the mouth. That was enough to spur the hardy van Dyk and a Magic revival, scoring an unbroken string of five and unnerving the LG Mystics through court.
It also awoke the vibrant Hamilton crowd, who applauded the Magic and their 39-34 lead at three quarter time; van Dyk and goal attack Jodi Brown boasting 90 percent shooting accuracy between them.
Just when Magic looked to be in control, with Langman calling the shots, the LG Mystics showed the fighting spirit they are famous for. Clever driving play - and tight defence from LG Mystics Joelene Henry keeping Brown away from the hoop - got them back within one.
But their momentum was broken at 46-45, three minutes remaining, when Tutaia pulled up lame needing attention to an already-bandaged knee. Under the instruction to breathe, Magic called on their experience to keep level heads and the edge at the final whistle.