Netball: Diamonds shine with youth and exuberance

Diamonds coach Sue Hawkins hopes her side's youthful exuberance will work to their benefit in today's crucial round-five match against the Sting in Invercargill.

With just three rounds of the competition remaining, the Sting and the Magic are virtually assured semifinal spots, leaving the Force, Diamonds and Flames to battle it out for the final two places.

The Diamonds have the more difficult draw of the trio ahead, facing the Sting, Magic and then Flyers.

But over the past two weeks the young Auckland side have won plenty of respect, casting aside the Force then trouncing the Shakers last weekend.

A key factor in their success has been the rise of young players Maria Tutaia, Grace Rasmussen and Rawinia Everitt - players who were forced to step up following the withdrawal of their more experienced teammates Jodi Te Huna and Anna Rowberry.

Their performance has delighted Hawkins and slightly surprised her.

"They really look like they are enjoying themselves out there. It is like the pressure is off them and they can just play."

Although the Sting will have analysed videos, the newness of the trio could provide the Diamonds with a slight advantage.

The key for the Diamonds will be shutting down Sting shooters Tania Dalton, Natalie Avellino and Belinda Colling, which the Aucklanders have a good chance of achieving, through Anna Scarlett and Stephanie Bond.

Another key area for the Diamonds will be their attack and ensuring their midcourt players are always there for their shooters, who will face Sting defender Megan Hutton.

The Diamonds head to Invercargill with just nine players as Paula Griffin is part of the New Zealand Secondary Schools team off to Adelaide for the international schoolgirls netball challenge.

"This weekend will be a test of their character for sure," Hawkins said. We have youth, we have experience and we have the tactics to take this team. That is all I can keep pushing."

The Flames are sitting just outside the top four so need maximum points against the Shakers.

Flames coach Marg Foster is conscious of the probable three-way battle for two spots but rates the Flames only a five out of 10 for collective team performance so far this season.

"I don't believe we've really hit our straps yet," she said.

"I know it's just around the corner ... it's all about consistency now and that's what our goal is."

In other games the Force should prove too strong for the Flyers and the Magic should beat Rebels.

Round five

Today
Western Flyers v Northern Force, New Plymouth
Southern Sting v Auckland Waitakere Diamonds, Invercargill
Live TV One, both games 4pm

Tomorrow
Canterbury Flames v Capital Shakers, Christchurch
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic v Otago Rebels, Hamilton
Live TV One, both games 1pm