Round 4, Magic Vs Stars: Magic Hit The Winner’s Circle In Style

AVIS Magic clinched their first win of the season in style when delivering a comprehensive 72-51 win over Go Media Stars to complete Round 4 in Hamilton on Monday.

Finding speed and accuracy going forward, the Magic had an inspiring figure at goal shoot in the form of Saviour Tui who had a memorable 60 minutes while showcasing her considerable skillset and nailing 54 from 57 shots on goal.

Magic retained the same seven for the duration of the match and held the upper hand to lead at all quarter breaks. Leading by seven going into the final stanza, the home side couldn’t have asked for a better finish when delivering a forceful 22-8 statement, scoring the last 11 goals in the process with the final two being super shots.

Sitting out last week after suffering a head knock, Ali Wilshier returned to centre in the Magic starting line-up while the Stars presented with the same seven as their last outing.

Magic made an impressive start on attack with captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Claire O’Brien delivering deep feeds into the athletic Tui under the hoop. The shooter mixed her game between holding, quick movement and aerial to great effect.

With the home side in threatening mood, the Stars adopted a more patient approach as the teams’ level-pegged before the Magic broke the arm-wrestle. Feeding off turnover opportunities, the Magic made no mistake with a strong finish to end the first quarter with a 17-14 lead.
The Stars resumed with a reshuffled midcourt which included the injection of former Silver Fern Kayla Johnson at wing defence. That change helped the visitors add speed and improved through-court flow as they closed to within one.

However, the Magic continued to impress with their ability to get quick ball to Tui who dominated at the shooting end through her variety of play, movement and accuracy.

Defensively, the Magic were also able to disrupt the Stars progress. In-circle defenders Erena Mikaere and Georgia Tong stalled the Stars shooting connections while wing defence Georgia Edgecombe, who finished with two intercepts and seven deflections, was all hustle and bustle.

Magic were quick to punish errors and the disconnect that blighting the Stars as the home side took a handy 33-25 lead into the main break.

Two quick goals to start the third quarter heralded the Stars improved output during their best stanza of the match. Captain Maia Wilson and the lofty Charlie Bell got in the groove with their shooter-to-shooter exchanges on the back of strong drives and feeds from Mila Reuelu-Buchanan.

Hard-working defender Remi Kamo, with two intercepts and seven deflections, also helped ensure the Magic were left looking over their shoulders as the Stars chipped away to reduce an eight-goal deficit to just two, prompting a technical time out for the home side.
It induced the appropriate response with the mobile shooting circle of Tui and Ekenasio hitting back in spectacular fashion as they knocked the spirit out of the Stars challenge.

Wilson kept the Stars well in contention with a super shot but Tui, who could do little wrong, responded in similar fashion. Growing in confidence the court opened up in dazzling style for the Magic who continued to excel on attack.

With the scoreboard ticking over, the Magic were left well-placed when leading 50-43 at the last break.

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