Langman sparkles for Magic

  • Breaking
  • 22/04/2009

Already earmarked for greatness, Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic midcourter Laura Langman looks in a hurry to get there after reigniting her trans-Tasman netball league credentials.

Heroics at both ends of the court from Irene van Dyk and Casey Williams in the opening rounds have largely pushed the livewire Langman into the background as the Magic sit atop the standings after three rounds.

But chasing new boundaries, Langman, 23, has become instrumental in setting the Magic on a new course this year.

Bursting into the elite level as a multi-talented teenager, the flush of youth waned a little for Langman last season as she came to grips with positional changes and the trappings that come with being an old hand despite tender years.

There has been a marked improvement in the Magic's attacking play this year, highlighted by patience and better option-taking, with Langman the driving force.

"I'm progressing in my attacking game," she said yesterday.

"I wouldn't mind being a little bit tighter on defence and help contribute more to our defensive game but I'm happy with where I'm at.

"We've placed huge emphasis this year on all players really knowing their roles and that has contributed to us being more cool, calm and collected on attack and really dogged on defence.

"Looking at the quality of the other teams, no team gets away with just having a few on defence and a few on attack, it's all about seven on seven."

For coach Noeline Taurua, the team's attack is still very much a work in progress, but she is thrilled with Langman's contributions to date.

"Laura's natural instincts are to do everything at 150 miles an hour. She trains that way, her brain thinks that way, she's doing study, she's doing a bit of work - she's got a lot going on," Taurua said.

"Everything is always in forward momentum but at certain times she needs to pull back and just do the easy things.

"Those things usually come when you are getting a bit more mature, round about 25-26 years of age.

"So what we are trying to do is fast track her and get her to pull back at certain times. The results so far have been really encouraging.

"We have already seen a huge improvement in her attacking game and a reduction in her error rate.

"We just have to keep building with it and once she gets a real feel for it, the whole process will become automatic. It is just a matter of time."

Despite a clean sheet so far this season and backing up from a stunning 18-goal win over defending champions, the New South Wales Swifts, Taurua has her feet on the ground ahead of the away match against Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane on Sunday.

It is the Magic's first trip across the Tasman this season which brings new challenges, such as Australian umpires and the travel factor, into the equation.

The Firebirds have not hit the high standards they achieved last year but they do have potency through the scoring exploits of 1.96m Jamaican shooting machine Romelda Aiken.

Umpiring interpretations always appear to be a bone of contention in trans-Tasman matches, but Taurua does not expect any problems.

"It is an issue if you let it be an issue but if we are mentally prepared for what to expect then it shouldn't be an issue," she said.

"We will probably have to pull back a bit on our normal type of game and maybe grind it out initially. And then hopefully we will be able to open it up in the latter
stages."

NZPA

 

 

source: newshub archive