Magic make winning start under returning Kopua
As starts to the season go, the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic’s was pretty good.
They beat the Mainland Tactix 71-48 at Claudelands Arena yesterday, in a game that was the meat in the ANZ Premiership’s opening triple-header sandwich.
It was a win, to begin with, which was something the Magic didn’t do until their sixth game last year in the final edition of the trans-Tasman league.
But it was emphatic as well, even if it was against a Tactix side that was missing two key defenders and that has been a perennial struggler.
The two teams were even for most of the first half, but the Magic’s accuracy in the shooting circle, and their strong defence, led by their returning captain, Casey Kopua, helped them open up a sixgoal lead at the break.
Then in the third quarter, they clicked on the attacking end and began to extend the margin, with Grace Rasmussen’s shift from wing attack to goal attack a key reason why.
After the game, Kopua said it
was great to get off to a winning start.
‘‘It’s definitely a good result, to get that first win under the belt, and with a lot of new players as well.
‘‘I think having it at home helped.
‘‘A lot of the girls were nervous about their first game out, and being at Claudelands with family and friends here, that gives you a lot of confidence.’’
There were three debutants in the Magic’s starting seven - Ariana Cable-Dixon at centre, Monica Falkner at goal attack and South African international Lenize Potgieter at goal shoot, who were joined by Grace Kukutai and Alex MacLeod-Smith off the bench in the second half.
They all had their moments, but Potgieter was the standout, netting 54 goals from 58 attempts, and not missing a shot until the 12-minute mark of the third quarter, showing plenty to suggest she could be a star in this competition.
Sunday’s game was Kopua’s first top-level outing since October 2015 .
She has been on the sideline since having her first child and she said that while she always wants more, she was satisfied with how she went.
‘‘It was a good solid performance and hopefully I only go up from here,’’ Kopua said.
She will get a chance to continue where she left off almost immediately, with the Magic in action again tomorrow night against the Northern Stars at Claudelands Arena once more.
The short turnaround is something the Magic have prepared for in preseason, and Kopua said they were ready to deal with it.
‘‘We know what the plan is, and we will recover well and do the little things that need to be done,’’ she said.
The Stars are coming off a big loss to the Southern Steel in their opener, and first centre pass for tomorrow’s game is set for just after 7.40pm.