Netball: Diamonds dulled by Force as Sting succumb to Magic

Diamonds captain Anna Rowberry reacts to some contact from Force wing defence Sheryl Scanlan during their match in Henderson. Picture / Paul Estcourt

The names Temepara George, Daneka Wipiiti and Linda Vagana will be etched on the minds of the Diamonds players after the menacing trio thwarted their hopes of a first-ever win over the Force.

After a mixed start to the competition, the Force put in their best performance yet in the National Bank Cup, scoring an important 51-47 win over their crosstown rivals at the Trusts Stadium in Waitakere City yesterday.

The Force and the Diamonds now sit alongside the Sting on the table - all with 10 points.

Following their convincing win over the Sting the Magic have the outright lead in the competition with 13 points - one more than the Flames.

In Auckland yesterday the Force, who have never lost to the Diamonds in the competition's eight-year history, took to the court with a lot more urgency than their rivals, storming out to an eight-goal lead mid-way though the opening spell.

Diamonds coach Sue Hawkins wasted no time making changes, introducing Rachel Rasmussen into goal keep and Maria Tutaia into goal shoot before the first-quarter break.

More defensive height was needed to combat Wipiiti, who was having too easy a run, and another option was needed on attack to try to break through the Force defence.

The Diamonds pulled the score back to six at the first-quarter break and three at halftime.

But the speed and hunger which the Diamonds displayed against the Sting the previous week were missing.

The Force, on the other hand, played like their lives depended on it, punishing the Diamonds' every mistake. The Force extended their lead to eight at three-quarter time and then went out to an unassailable 10-goal lead during the last quarter.

A last-ditch attempt from the Diamonds saw them come within three in the later stages but it was too little too late. The Diamonds at least secure a point for finishing within five.

Hawkins said her attack "floated the ball too much", which made for easy pickings for Vagana.

"It took us a whole game to work her [Vagana] out. They should have thought about that earlier."

Hawkins said Wipiiti was fantastic. "We had no answer for her."

Wipiiti has always struggled with the mental aspect of the game but yesterday she was untroubled as she dominated her opposition and landed 36 goals from 44 attempts.

"She has matured as an individual," said Force coach Yvonne Willering.

"She knows it isn't just on her shoulders and I think she has probably had that pressure in the past. I like to think we create a relaxed atmosphere for her."

Willering said her side still made too many unforced errors.

"At times we lacked the discipline but on the whole I think it wasn't a bad team effort."

The Sting's stranglehold on the competition looks a little shaky after they suffered their second consecutive loss of the season on Saturday, bowing out to the Magic.

The defending champions trailed the Magic in every quarter - 13-11, 30-22 and 45-32 - before eventually going down 56-42.

Young Magic defender Casey Williams was deservedly player of the match, nabbing 12 interceptions - more than the 11 the entire Sting team secured.

Goal attack Anna Senio also had a strong game.

The Sting's major downfall was through the midcourt and in the attacking end.

While the return of Adine Wilson, in the next couple of weeks should alleviate that, the Sting's usually unstoppable shooting combination of Donna Loffhagen and Tania Dalton are well below their best.

However, two consecutive losses, a first for the Sting, may be just the jolt the defending champs need.

Round five

Force 51 Diamonds 47

Flames 52 Rebels 33

Magic 56 Sting 42

Flyers 52 Shakers 47