The Avis Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic travelled to Christchurch on Saturday for the first ANZ Premiership match at the new Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre, going down 37-58 to the VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix in a match where the hosts proved too strong across all four quarters.
The Magic made a promising start, with both sides guilty of early turnovers, and improved second phase play helped the visitors stay within touching distance before the Tactix finished the quarter with a flourish to lead 16-11 at the first break.
The Magic came out strongly for the second quarter, with Sarah Guiney and Kate Taylor supported by Georgie Edgecombe helping the visitors show more control on attack and remain well in contention. But the Tactix clicked up a gear, with Ash Barnett showcasing her speed and instinct for an intercept to swing momentum. Five straight goals to the home side prompted changes in the Magic line-up, with shooter Saviour Tui returning from injury and Losa Fifita introduced at goal defence. A Tui two-pointer on the buzzer provided a late bright spot, but the Tactix took a 28-20 lead into the break.
Throughout the match, Edgecombe was a standout for the Magic, finishing with a game-high six intercepts and causing problems for the Tactix attack. The Magic also had their moments at the scoring end, with Taylor and Guiney working hard throughout.
The third quarter saw Gina Crampton, the former Silver Ferns captain, slot in seamlessly for the Tactix after an absence of three years from the ANZ Premiership, adding further depth to the home side. The Magic reshuffled their midcourt with Ariana Cable-Dixon coming off the bench, and scoring the first two goals of the quarter gave the visitors a glimmer, but the Tactix responded emphatically to lead 42-28 at the last break.
The Tactix ran out 58-37 winners, extending their home winning streak to 10 matches and cementing their place at the top of the table. For the Magic, Edgecombe's display and the contributions of Tui, Guiney and Taylor offer plenty to build on as the season continues.
