Netball: Sting triumph in game's tail

By JULIE ASH

The Southern Sting took a giant step towards retaining their national league title yesterday with a 48-44 win over North Harbour's Force.

In front of a capacity crowd at the North Shore Events Centre, the defending champions edged out the Force in the last three minutes to maintain their unbeaten run.

A disappointed Force captain, Linda Vagana, said her side had their chances.

"They were lucky, anyone could have taken that game," she said. "We got just as much ball as they did, we just weren't able to finish it off."

After a poor start the Force recovered from a 9-3 deficit to lead 15-12 at the first quarter.

The defence from both sides was outstanding, forcing the attacking players to sit patiently and pass the ball around. There was a high number of turnovers.

Force goal shoot Daneka Wipiiti found life a little more difficult this week, having to contend with Megan Hutton and Bernice Mene.

Up 24-22 at half-time, the Sting would often get two or three ahead before the Force pegged them back.

Force wing defence Sheryl Clarke was subbed off with an ankle injury late in the third quarter. She was replaced by Laila Tai, and Kate Dowling came on at goal defence in place of Lorna Suafoa.

Going into the last quarter, the Sting were up 37-32 before the Force fought back and, with less than five minutes to play, the game was locked at 43-all.

But just when it mattered the most, the Force let errors into their game which the Sting capitalised on.

Force coach Maria Lynch said they knew they would be punished for their mistakes.

"As we said before the game, we wanted to keep the errors out of the game and unfortunately they just crept in at the wrong time and they capitalised on them," she said.

"The game was there for the taking with three minutes to go. We didn't adjust too well with our injuries."

Sting captain Bernice Mene praised the work of Force players Linda Vagana, Temepara Clark and Sheryl Clarke.

"They all had outstanding games," she said.

"I thought we were a bit messy on attack.

"Both teams threw a few passes astray and I am sure both teams will be looking to improve on that with three rounds to go."

After six rounds the Force are at the top of the table, one point ahead of the Sting, who have a game in hand.

With three rounds to go the race is on for the other two semifinal spots and the Flames, Magic, Diamonds, Rebels and Shakers are all in contention.

The Auckland Waitakere Diamonds kept their hopes alive by pulling off a 67-50 win over the Counties Manukau Cometz in Auckland yesterday afternoon.

Diamonds coach Georgina Salter was without injured goal defence Rachel Rasmussen, but found an able replacement in co-captain Kiri Adams.

"We had some moments of brilliance and we had moments where we weren't able to handle what the Cometz were doing on court," Salter said. "It was our aim to get everyone on court and I was happy I was able to achieve that."

In other games played yesterday, the Shakers beat the Magic 53-46 and the Rebels beat the Flyers 56-33.