With these two teams lacking in numbers, they only fielded five players each, which left neither team with an advantage. Experience is the only advantage for the Magic, but the Dragons with their 20-point head start is enough to make any team panic, especially if the ball is not going in or things are just not going your way. Both teams started well with Vicky opening the scoreboard for the Magic and Mark Winch for the Dragons. Neither team got the upper hand until late in the first half when the Magic got on a roll, but the Dragons were still there - that was until the Magic started getting a few back-to-back baskets and slipped away and the Dragons couldn’t keep up.

Final score: Magic 60, Dragons 38.

Best for the Magic were Priscilla Hutchinson 18 points and Vicky Drakett 14 points.

Best for the Dragons were Mark Winch six points and Melinda Ciprian four points

Game 2:

Vipers and All Stars.

What a good game to start the run for the finals and first game back from the holidays for these two teams. Both were a little rusty and frustrated, but that is from not playing for a few weeks (mistakes happen) and things usually work out to plan first game back. I am sure both these teams will see each other in the finals, which are not far away. Jordan and Webby started scoring for each team and the points just kept coming. The Vipers took the upper hand, due to bench players where the All Stars were lucky to field a team, but this did not stop them from putting in 100 per cent and staying with the Vipers to go into the break only two points behind.

The second half was much the same, with both teams now getting into the swing of things and starting to find their range with their shooting. But fatigue had set in for the All Stars and resulted in bad passes and lack of enthusiasm, which saw the Vipers get the upper hand and take an 11-point lead. The All Stars had spurts of brilliance, but it was not enough to take the win.

Final score: Vipers 52, All Stars 42.

Best for Vipers were Jordan McGovern and Amanda Cheal both with 14 points

Best for All Stars were both Davis Webb and Kathy French with 14 points.