Netball: Inaccurate Force shot down by Flames

By JULIE ASH

Force coach Yvonne Willering could be forgiven for wanting to bang her head against a brick wall after her side's 51-48 loss to the Flames in Christchurch on Saturday.

Despite a magnificent comeback in the final quarter, the Force shooters again let the side down, securing just 48 shots from a staggering 70 attempts, compared with the Canterbury Flames' far more accurate 51 from 54.

After just two rounds of competition, the Force look extremely vulnerable shooting.

In their opening match against the Shakers last weekend, Daneka Wipiiti landed just five shots from 14 attempts in the first quarter before she was subbed off.

The 21-year-old did slightly better yesterday against the Flames' formidable defensive duo of Silver Fern Vilimaina Davu and new recruit Australian Peta Stephens, but the Force need more accuracy if they are to cement a semifinal spot.

The Flames looked the better team in the opening stages of the match, holding a 14-12 lead at the end of the first quarter, which they extended to 28-25 at halftime.

Willering rang the changes at halftime introducing Fijian representatives Matelita Shaw and Matila Waqanidrola, but the move seemed to work in favour of the Flames, who extended their lead to 12.

The Force clawed back to within eight and scored a run of goals early in the last quarter, which got them back into the game.

With less than two minutes to play the North Shore side could have taken the match, but a couple of crucial misses topped off what was a pretty dismal day for their shooters.

However, Willering said the loss could not be entirely blamed on the shooters.

"If you have a look at the Flames, all of their shots were pretty close range so we should have made them shoot far longer as well," she said. "So it is not just about one end of the court."

While the Force will have to address their shooting this week, Willering would also like to see more responsibility from her players.

"When the shooters get their shots in the whole team tends to lift up a level ... we have to take individual responsibility.

"But it is hard if you take a look at the possession rate - we had far more ball to play around with, which is frustrating."

The Flames' Belinda Colling was the standout player of the match, netting 19 shots from 19 attempts while Jodi Te Huna also had a strong game at goal shoot, missing just three shots.

In other round two matches over the weekend the Auckland Diamonds picked up their first win of the competition, beating the Western Flyers 59-35.

Diamonds coach Joan Hodson would have been far from impressed with her side's start after they trailed the Flyers 9-8 in the first quarter.

But they led 23-17 at halftime and 38-28 after the third quarter. They put in a strong performance in the last quarter, restricting the Flyers to seven and securing a comfortable victory.

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic proved too strong for the Otago Rebels, winning 59-37, while the Southern Sting made light work of the Capital Shakers, winning 61-29.

National Bank Cup squads and draw