Jury hurt as Steel down Magic
Silver Ferns defender Kelly Jury suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder as the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic lost a thriller to the Southern Steel 64-60.
The defending champion Steel improved to a 2-1 record on the young national netball premiership season, toppling a gutsy Magic side at Dunedin’s Edgar Centre last night.
Magic goal keep Jury was helped off the court with two minutes left in the first quarter after Steel goal shoot Jennifer O’Connell accidentally landed on her on the baseline.
She didn’t return to the game and the Magic will hope the injury isn’t a long-term issue. Jury sat with her left arm in a sling after returning to the bench.
The Magic remain without a win after two games, having lost their opening-round clash to the Pulse.
Nothing separated the sides in an intriguing final quarter, where the Steel clung to a one goal lead in the opening minutes of the last term.
The Steel edged ahead 54-51 with eight minutes left with Silver Fern Te Paea Selby-Rickit slotting some crucial goals. She finished with 30/35.
It was 55-55 with six to go, but Selby-Rickit’s composed demeanour proved decisive in the dying minutes.
Trailing 32-28 at halftime, the Magic chipped into the Steel’s lead as the third quarter wore on.
They snuck ahead 42-41 with four minutes left in the third term, sparked by some strong defensive work and accurate shooting from South African import Lenize Potgieter and Monica Falkner.
The Magic won the third quar- ter 18-14 to lock up the score at 46-46 approaching the final 15 minutes.
Potgieter was a constant threat for the Magic, finishing with 32/39, while youngster Falkner had a tidy outing with 24/27.
With Jury sidelined, the Magic were forced to move usual wing defence Hayley Saunders into goal defence. At 1.79m, Saunders gave away significant height to the Steel shooters.
Skipper Casey Kopua was lively for the Magic, pulling off an intercept from the opening Steel centre pass.and was a standout at the back for the Magic all game, anchoring the defensive unit.