A ragged-looking First Windows Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic battled all the way before clinching a 56-44 win over the Haier Pulse in ANZ Championship action in Rotorua today. It was not the easy win many expected from the talent-laden Magic, who sit second on the points table, as the winless Pulse put up their most encouraging performance of the season.

Coming off the bye, the Pulse played with confidence and purpose to be well in contention through the first half before the Magic lifted the tempo in a dominant third quarter. The wheels fell off for the Pulse during this spell with a mounting error rate but the visitors did have the satisfaction of winning the final quarter against an out of sorts Magic. The Pulse made a positive start, showing a confidence to move the ball through strong driving by wing attack Camilla Lees which was well-supported by goal attack Paula Griffin.

The drafting of defender Rachael Rasmussen into the side as cover for the injured Katrina Grant also played dividends as her height and experience kept the Magics danger shooter Irene van Dyk under close wraps. More than holding their own in the opening exchanges, the Pulses strong defensive effort through court produced an erratic start by the Magic.

The teams level-pegged through most of the opening quarter, poor finishing letting the visitors down as the Magic hit the first break 14-11 ahead.  A serious-looking knee injury to Australian import Peta Scholz on the stroke of the first quarter break resulted in a reshuffle of the Magic’s defensive line. Kahurangi Waititi came off the bench and into goalkeeper, Casey Williams moved to goal defence and Jodi Tod to wing defence.

The changes took time to settle as the Pulse took full advantage. Well structured on attack, the visitors were kept in the hunt by the accurate shooting of Griffin. A strong defensive effort from Rasmussen and Ama Agbeze, where they often double-marked van Dyk had the Magic flustered and coughing up a lot of turnover ball.

The Pulse were rewarded with the lead but it was short-lived. Midcourter Frances Solia was in the thick of the action on attack and defensively as the Magic finally found some flow, scoring five on the trot to gain some momentum and eventually a 28-25 halftime lead.

Looking for more movement in their shooting circle, the Magic introduced Tanya Lund at goal attack for Jodi Brown in the second half. The change had an immediate impact, the mobility of Lund and her ability to slot some long range bombs relieved some of the pressure from van Dyk.

Lifting their urgency levels, the Magic also tightened up defensively, shutting down the Pulses options and leaving them scoreless for long periods. The Pulse also lost confidence on the shot, Williams and Waititi swooping on the resultant rebounds.

The Magic responded to Solias continued energetic performance by piling on the pressure and expanding their lead. Restricting the Pulse to just six goals, the Magic were comfortably placed when they went to the last break 44-31 ahead.  In a far from convincing final stanza where they gave a ragged display, the Magic could thank their big third quarter effort to seal a none-too-convincing win.