The class of captain Catherine Cox inspired the NSW Swifts to a 57-56 win over the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in the ANZ Championship major netball semi-final in Hamilton on Sunday.
With a place in the July 28 final at stake, the Swifts now get to enjoy a week off after a hectic recent travel schedule.
Courtesy of the two-life system awarded the top two finishers in the regular system, the Magic will play the winner of Monday night's sudden death semi-final between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and the Melbourne Vixens, in Hamilton on July 21.
Little separated the teams with each winning two quarter but a horror third quarter from the Magic gave the Swifts the upper hand heading down the home straight.
Better overall execution of the basics propelled the visitors into the final despite the heroics of Irene van Dyk, who shot a perfect game with 29 goals from 29 attempts, and some individual brilliance from Joline Henry.
The experienced heads of Cox, Susan Pratley and Selina Gilsenan were to the forefront of the Swifts eighth straight win, as the visitors confirmed their ever-improving status through the competition.
Magic coach Noeline Taurua stuck with last week's success story of switching shooters van Dyk and Maria Tutaia for today's all-important showdown.
In a fast-paced match, where high skill levels and a low error rate featured, the teams level-pegged through most of the first quarter.
The accuracy and movement of Cox gave the Swifts a narrow 16-15 lead heading into the first break.
Patience on attack and big pressure on defence gave the Magic the better of the second quarter. Effective spoiling work by wing defence Henry and the superior play of van Dyk nudged the Magic into the lead as the home team took control of their opponents.
Van Dyk and Tutaia showed immaculate control in the circle as their height and movement caused big problems for the Swifts defenders.
At the other, the Swifts struggled a little to get the ball goal-bound but a late rally reduced the deficit, which had stretched out to five at one stage, as the Magic held the momentum 32-30 at halftime.
All the good work from the home side was undone as the Swifts got away to an outstanding start in the all-important third quarter.
Hesitancy from the Magic attack line as the Swifts put the heat on defensively caused a rash of turnover ball. The supply of ball dried up for the Magic as mid-courter Gilsenan caused huge disruption in the home team's attacking flow. The wing defence was a tower of strength in limiting the Magic’s opportunities where she kept Amigene Metcalfe under wraps.
Williams lifted her game at the other end where she had a mighty battle with Cox but in tandem with Pratley, the Swifts shooters kept cool heads to make the most of their opportunities efficiently and accurately.
Keeping the Magic scoreless for seven minutes turned the match on its head as the Swifts completed the turnaround to outscore the home team 17-9, giving them a healthy 47-41 threequarter time advantage.
Fortunes turned once again in a riveting final quarter as the Magic staged a thrilling comeback. Levelling the scores with 1m 30s to go and hot on attack, the Magic lost their opportunity to win the match when Swifts mid-courter Kimberlee Green picked up a vital steel on the circle edge to end the home team's hopes.