Steel’s home court a hard place to visit

THE Edgar Centre has proved a tough place to visit since the last time the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic was in town.

On that occasion, the year was 2007.

The Magic was playing a side wearing blue and gold called the Otago Rebels in the National Bank Cup.

It was the last time the Rebels would take the court.

The Magic spoilt the farewell on that day with a 4541 win.

Times have changed since then, though.

The next year saw the Southern Steel formed, a side that has won 15 of its 21 Dunedin matches.

The other six consisted of five losses and a draw.

All of those losses came between 2011 and 2013 — three in 2012, when the side won just two games the entire season.

It is true seven of the wins came against lowly Mainland Tactix and Central Pulse sides.

However, the side has also claimed some impressive scalps.

Against the Australian franchises in the old ANZ Championship, it has a sixwin, threeloss, onedraw record.

It won both its games against the Queensland Firebirds in Dunedin, the only two times it beat the franchise. The West Coast Fever, Melbourne Vixens and Adelaide Thunderbirds were also beaten in the city.

It was the Thunderbirds who most recently beat the Steel in the city, claiming a 6054 win in 2013.

Those sides also drew 5353 in 2015.

Indeed, the New South Wales Swifts are the only team to have a winning record against the Steel in Dunedin, winning the only game between the sides.

Of the 11 matches against New Zealand teams, only the Pulse and Northern Mystics have taken wins with one each in 2012.

The overall ledger between the Steel and Magic does not look quite so good.

In 23 matches, the Steel has claimed nine wins, but has won five of the past six meetings.