By Sarah Nealon
A nail-biting win for Wellington's Capital Shakers in the national netball league has knocked the Cometz out of the competition.
In the eighth round of the Coca-Cola Cup, the two teams played a close, feisty game in front of a roaring crowd at Papatoetoe.
A late burst of energy from the Shakers, saw them take the game 47-45 and put them in with a chance of making the semi-final.
Across town, the Northern Force trailed the Western Flyers until the last six minutes. Flyers goal shooter Daneka Wipiiti was on good form as was goal attack Janine Brown, but excellent defence from Force captain Linda Vagana and Lorna Suafoa saw them come through 54-49.
The Flyers are now out of the competition, while the Force have a chance of making the semis.
At Papatoetoe, both teams appeared nervous and play in the mid-court was scrappy and very stop-start.
But Cometz shooter Janine Topia was in control under the hoop and did not allow goal keep Tanya Cox to unsettle her.
There was good feeding at the Shakers goal end, to shooter Jodie Te Huna, but the home side won the first quarter 13-10.
Quick, sharp passes from the Shakers in the second quarter saw the score tied 22-all at half-time.
Five minutes into the third spell, the visitors began to find their stride and were leading by four points.
Shakers shooters Noeline Taurua and Te Hunga worked well in the circle against Cometz defenders Bobbie McKay and Koren Pickard.
One minute before full-time only a goal separated the two teams. But the Shakers suddenly pulled away to win.
"When we controlled the ball we looked okay, " said Shakers coach Lois Muir.
"But we let the Cometz get back into the game three times."
Cometz coach Ruth Aitken said the game was very stressful for her side. "It was much harder than it has been in other games. There was a lot of pressure out there tonight."
In Invercargill, the Southern Sting thrashed the Canterbury Flames 66-46. They led at every quarter and coach Robin Broughton said the shooting skills of Silver Fern Donna Loffhagen were outstanding. "As soon as she got the ball in the circle she turned around and put it through the hoop."
The Sting are now assured of a semi-final spot, but like the Force, the Flames, the Diamonds and the Shakers are still in with a chance of making the semis.
In Rotorua, the Auckland Diamonds overcame the Waikato-Bay-of-Plenty Magic 62-44. The Diamonds led at every quarter, except the first. Nicky Read played well for the visitors at wing attack.
Netball: Cometz and Flyers see Coca-Cola Cup hopes evaporate
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