A sell out home crowd for the Northern Stars wasn’t enough to halt the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in round four action of the ANZ Premiership.

The visitors won the match 53-64, in the Stars first home game of the season at Pulman Park Arena, Takanini.

Training partner Kate Burley earned her first start at goal keep as the Stars looked to combat the unpredictable play of South African Lenize Potgieter.

Three early intercepts by Burley kept the Stars in the hunt during the first quarter as the Magic took a 8-14 lead into the first break.

“Kate was surprised when she was named to start, we had every confidence in her and she did some beautiful defensive work on her own,” coach Kiri Wills said of Burley’s performance after the match.

Head coach Kiri Wills was upfront about the team’s performance after three tight losses.

“I think that’s a bit of a backward step, we got enough ball to win that game but we just could not get it through the court.”

Wills also highlighted individual performance as positives to take from the match.

“I think Holly and Mu (Fa’amu) are growing in the center role and Paula had a solid game at both goal attack and goal shoot.”

The Stars changed up their shooting end in the second quarter with Paula Griffin moving into goal shoot for Maia Wilson, with Ellen Halpenny coming on at goal attack.

Both teams looked to have settled into a rhythm as the home team won the quarter 17-16 and closed the gap to five goals going into the main break.

Magic shooters Potgieter and Monica Falkner and midcourt were on target in the third quarter which prompted Wills to ring in the changes again.

Wilson returned to the shooting circle to pair up with Griffin whilst Ioane moved to center, Fowler into goal defence and replacement player Kirsten Hurley into wing defence.

Fowler who started the match at center is visibly growing in the new position each week and enjoying the challenge of the positional change.

“I do prefer playing in the circle (defence) but it’s great to develop at center and add more tools to my belt.”

Fowler was also named Stonz Jewelers player of match.

The Magic extended their lead in the final quarter to pick up their first win of the season.

Next up for the Northern Stars is the Southern Steel at ITL Stadium Southland, Invercargill on Sunday 3 June at 4pm.

Next home Match:

Monday 18th June – Northern Stars v Mainland Tactix

Time: 7:40pm

Venue: Pulman Arena, Auckland

Purchase Tickets Here

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