Netball: Force still unbeaten but Otago Rebels spring surprise

By JULIE ASH and NZPA

The Force, Flames, Sting and Rebels all came through unscathed in last night's round of the national netball league - the first in a double-header weekend.

North Harbour's Force maintained their unbeaten run, downing the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 57-45. The Canterbury Flames edged out the Auckland Waitakere Diamonds 52-47, the Southern Sting thrashed the Counties Manukau Cometz 82-34 and, in the upset of the night, the Otago Rebels downed the Capital Shakers 49-40.

In their first win of the season, the Lois Muir-coached Rebels led the Shakers 15-11, 27-20, 38-31 and then 49-40.

The Force were also ahead in every quarter against the Magic in front of a sellout crowd in Rotorua.

Force coach Maria Lynch praised the work of Temepara Clark. "Her speed and vision were incredible."

The Force had a recovery session in the pool last night before busing back to Auckland to prepare for tomorrow's clash with the Sting at North Shore.

"We came out of it okay," Lynch said. "There are a few sore joints so they'll just have to put their feet up and try to relax before Sunday's game."

In Christchurch, Diamonds coach Georgina Salter said her side were too inconsistent against the Flames.

"We were down 10 in the last quarter and then fought back to within two. We were really going for it, but we did what we always do - made errors in our attacking end."

In Auckland, Cometz coach Jan Lundon said her side could not find a way through the Sting defence, but she commended the performance of goal attack Nicolette Ropati.

In other games tomorrow, the Flyers play the Rebels, the Diamonds meet the Cometz and the Shakers play the Magic.