THE WBOP Magic are on the board in 2024 after a narrow 52-49 win over the Northern Stars. It was a hard fought match for much of the afternoon, but the Magic made better use of their chances than the home side.

After some strong intercept work from the Magic, they were the ones to take the early lead. It may have never been a big lead, but it was enough to keep the Stars at bay for the mean time.

One thing that was letting the Stars in particular down was their inability to generate turnovers, particularly in defence, which was not as much of an issue for the Magic.

As such, the Magic took a three-goal lead into the first change. The generating turnover problems continued for the Stars into the second term, and as such the Magic were able to really properly grow their lead early in the term.

Erena Mikaere was proving a real handle for the Stars to overcome with her strong intercept work, and Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Saviour Tui were rewarding her hard work up the other end.

There was no Gina Crampton in the line up any more for the Stars, so Mila Reuelu-Buchanan could not quite have the same influence as usual. All of this lead to the Magic taking a six-goal lead into the main break.

It was the Stars who got the better start to the third term, and scored six of the first 10 goals of the term to bring the margin back down to just one. However the Magic kicked back into gear and re-established their lead in the back end of the term.

The Stars did end up winning the quarter by a goal, but the Magic still held the overall lead heading into the last quarter. The home side also won the last quarter, but sadly for them could not quite catch their visitors, handing the Magic their first win of the year.

In other results:

• The Central Pulse also remain undefeated after an eight goal win over the Southern Steel.

The game was a mostly tight affair, but a 17 goals to eight third term in the Pulse’s favour was ultimately the difference. Parris Mason (seven gains, four rebounds) and Kelly Jackson (six deflections, four gains, three rebounds) again starred for the Pulse, while the Heffernan sisters Georgia and Kate starred in mid court for the Steel.

• In the top of the table clash, it was the Tactix who prevailed, narrowly defeating the Mystics by three goals.

The Mystics got off to a good start, but the Tactix fought back in the third term to take the lead and held it in the final term. Ellie Bird impressed in attack for the Tactix, as did Karin Burger in defence. Meanwhile for the Mystics Elisapeta Toeava put in a mountain of work through mid court, once again teaming up well with Grace Nweke.