MATCH PREVIEW (R5): TACTIX V MAGIC

TEAM NEWS:

Five words from Waikato-BOP Magic mid-courter Sam Sinclair should be warily noted by the rest of the Premiership field. “With confidence you get courage,” Sinclair said after the match. And it was Magic which showed glimpses of both those qualities to net their first win of the season. They turned on their best performance with the victory over the Northern Stars and both Sinclair and captain Casey Kopua believe it will be the turning point of their season. “It just gives you that little bit of confidence and belief in yourself,” Kopua said. “This was like a turning point for us and we were either going to take off and carry on, or not. The decision was ‘we’re going up’.” It is an ominous warning for the Silvermoon Tactix who has a lengthy break between their loss to the SKYCITY Mystics and taking on the Magic. They will need that time to address their transition from defence to attack. The Tactix won enough ball but struggled to move it safely through court and into the hands of their shooters. “We’ll go back to the drawing board, have a day off, recover, train hard and come back with a better game plan,” captain Jane Watson said.

WHO TO WATCH:

Kate Lloyd (Magic) – the Cantabrian returns home to take on her former team-mates as her partnership with Casey Kopua continues to grow. Kelly Jury has been confirmed to miss the remainder of the season so it will be an opportunity for Lloyd to grab.

Kimiora Poi (Tactix) versus Sam Sinclair (Magic) – the mid-court will be an area to watch with the Magic finally firing up front in Round 4 and the Tactix teetering somewhat with their links from defence onto attack. Poi sat out last week’s game but her speed could be a good match for Sinclair.

Jane Watson (Tactix) – finding her groove at goal defence and the added responsibility in the leadership group has seen her lead from the front. Watson has climbed into the top four for deflections after four rounds.