The Northern Stars have picked up just their second win of the ANZ netball Premiership upsetting the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 56-51 in Auckland.
Northern stars wing attack Grace Kara in action against the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz
With more bonus points than any other team in the competition, the Stars have come close on numerous occasions but finally picked up the two points on offer after fending off everything the Magic.
There were two key figures at either of the court for the Stars, in shooter Maia Wilson who slotted 42 goals from 46 attempts and young custodian Kate Burley.
Starting the season as a training partner, Burley has made the most of her elevation with another impressive outing after grabbing a strong tally of turnover ball with her aerial ability.
With an equal number of shots on goal, the Magic did not make the best use of their possession and were unable to shake the spirited resolve of the Stars.
The Magic suffered an unexpected blow when a foot injury suffered during the warm-up ruled in-form captain Casey Kopua out of the match.
The home side recovered from a slow start to provide the entertainment with an impressive showing during the opening stanza. As she has done for most of the season, Wilson proved the reliable anchor under the Stars hoop with a stellar return.
There was also plenty of action at the other end, with rangy goalkeeper Burley making a storming start in grabbing three intercepts and three deflections. She was ably supported by the fleet-footed Fowler in guiding the Stars to a 16-12 lead at the first break.
The experience of captain Grace Kara and Thompson in the engine room, ensured calm heads for the Stars on attack, the pair shining with their accurate and quick release feeds.
The Magic delivered several mini runs to threaten on occasion but the visitors were generally laboured on attack and unable to break the shackles.
The home side broke out to a six-goal advantage midway through the stanza for the biggest lead of the game, the Magic, however, able to keep things on an even keel when the Stars retained their four-goal buffer to lead 30-26 at the main break.
With centre Samantha Sinclair leading the charge, it was a determined Magic who returned for the start of the second half, six straight goals getting the visitors back into the lead for the first time since the opening stages.
However, they were unable to take the initiative, the Stars surging back with a flourish to build another handy six-goal lead.
The Magic stay fourth in the standings and the Stars sixth.
-RNZ
