Netball: Cup to stay a one-rounder

The National Bank Cup will remain a one-round competition next season.

Last year Netball New Zealand announced their intention to expand the franchise competition to two rounds in 2007.

However, with the world netball championships in July, Netball New Zealand chief executive Shelley McMeeken said yesterday they had decided to delay the move.

"We are always keen to have more high-quality netball played but with the world championships on next year in July and also it being the last year of the current contract it seemed appropriate to keep the same format, which was the feedback we received from the franchises."

McMeeken said Netball New Zealand are working with the eight franchises to see what shape the 2008 and beyond competition will hold.

In this week's round the two big match ups see the Force against the Flames and the Diamonds against the Rebels.

The Force go into the match on the back of a comprehensive 71-29 win over the Shakers last weekend. A key element in the game was the solid performance of the Force's new recruit, Australian goal attack/wing attack Megan Dehn.

Force captain Temepara George said she enjoyed her first hit out alongside Dehn but said "she has got a hell of a hard pass that we all have to be wary of".

The Flames, who edged out the Diamonds last week, will be a significant step up for the Force.

The key for the Force will be containing the Flames' feisty shooter Shelley Norris, who is extremely good at holding in the circle. They will also have to negotiate their way around the Flames defence which includes former Force player Kate Dowling and Silver Fern Vilimaina Davu.

Following their loss last week the Diamonds must beat the Rebels to stay in semifinal contention.

Diamonds coach Sue Hawkins said she had been drilling into her side the need for better placement of the ball.

Their speed through court should give them an edge over the lesser experienced Rebels side. The key however will be finishing off.

The Diamonds will be without defender Rachel Rasmussen for the remainder of the competition. Five months' pregnant Rasmussen played in last weekend's game against the Flames but her back has started getting sore so she has withdrawn. She will sit on the bench this week.

Laila Sturgeon (formerly Tai), who has played for the Diamonds and the Force in the past, has been called into the side as cover in the wing defence position.

Round Two 

Today: Southern Sting v Western Flyers, Invercargill, Capital Shakers v Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, Wellington*, both at 4pm.

Tomorrow: Canterbury Flames v Northern Force, Christchurch, Auckland/Waitakere Diamonds v Otago Rebels, Waitakere*, both 1pm. *Live TV One.