Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic got back to winning ways with a 47-41 triumph over domestic arch-rivals Southern Steel in their second round trans-Tasman netball championships match in Rotorua.

Trailing 24-23 at half-time, the Magic staged a third quarter surge to retake the lead.

Although the Steel clambered back to tie the score many times, they were never able to overhaul the Magic.

The Magic, still stinging from a first round defeat to Melbourne Vixens, led 10-6 after 10 minutes of the first quarter.

But the Steel, with Juliana Naoupu replacing injured first choice shooter Daneka Wipiiti, tied the score 12-12 with two minutes to go and led 15-13 at the break.

Magic coach Noeline Taurua retained all seven of her starting line-up throughout the match, unlike against the Vixens when she rotated her whole bench, and the move paid off as the pressure went on in the last 10 minutes.

Their combination remained strong, as the Steel, prompted by some strong work from energetic wing attack Liana Barrett-Chase, fought hard to close down a three-point gap at the start of the final quarter.

Barrett-Chase’s game-long battle for domination with Magic wing defender Peta Scholtz was at times fiery but did not get out of hand.

Steel coach Robyn Broughton worried at half-time about her side’s ball retention and by the end her fears were realised as her charges got too loose with their passing.

Turnovers from hasty Steel passes and an interception or two by Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams saw the Magic cruise to a six-point victory margin that did not look likely at the start of the encounter.

Irene van Dyk landed 27 of 30 attempts and was ably backed up by Jodi Brown, who landed 20 from 25.

Naoupu’s accuracy was commendable with 29 from 34, while Megan Dehn got 12 from 14.

- AAP