Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Magic win minor semi in dying moments

Updated at 1:41 pm on 11 July 2012

The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic netballers won their sudden-death playoff ANZ championship playoff in Hamilton in the last 30 seconds to beat the Adelaide Thunderbirds by 49 points to 48 on Monday.

The Silver Ferns veteran Irene van Dyk shot her 28th goal from 28 attempts to seal the Magic's 10th straight victory after the home side blew an eight-point lead over the Australian side in the second quarter.

The Magic now play the Northern Mystics next Monday in Auckland, for a place in the final in Melbourne, against the minor premiers the Vixens.

The Magic had a strong start and led by eight goals after the first quarter but the Thunderbirds came back a different looking side in the second spell, and overtook the Magic by three goals heading into the second half.

The Magic were able to compose themselves in the third quarter and got within one of the visitors heading into the final period.

From there it was mostly goal for goal before the Magic defenders came up with a couple of steals in the final minutes of the game - Van Dyke slotting the winning goal with 30 seconds left.

Julianna Naoupu at goal-attack also had a good day, shooting at 91 percent.

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