13 May 2014

Magic coach blames lack of concentration

11:42 am on 13 May 2014

The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic coach has blasted her side's lack of concentration and composure after they blew another early lead to miss the chance to move to outright first in the trans-Tasman netball competition.

While the Magic started with their trademark early supremacy in Monday night's 62-57 loss to the Steel in Invercargill, they lost focus as the Steel found confidence, falling to their second straight defeat.

Coach Julie Fitzgerald says the Magic are buttoning off at crucial times.

There's now a four-way tie at the top of the table with the Melbourne Vixens, the Magic, the New South Wales Swifts and the Queensland Firebirds all on 14 points, with the Vixens first and Magic second by virtue of goal differential.

The Steel are now sixth on 10 points, two behind the fifth-placed Pulse, and two wins outside the top four.