By Sarah Nealon
Introducing a new goal defence two minutes before full-time was not enough to keep the Auckland Diamonds from losing to the Capital Shakers by just two points in the national netball league last night.
In the sixth round of the Coca-Cola Cup the Wellington side had their second win of the series, beating the home team 52-50.
In another tightly contested game the Western Flyers tied with the Cometz 55-all, while the Canterbury Flames and the Otago Rebels had big wins.
Before a quarter-full stadium at Kohimarama, the Diamonds and Shakers went almost point-for-point. The Diamonds led 14-11 after the first spell, but had to fight for every goal.
In the second quarter, Lois Muir reshuffled her Shakers moving the towering Tanya Cox from goal shoot to goal keep where she upset Diamonds shooters Leonie Leaver and Kiri Adams.
Silly mistakes from the home team had the Diamonds barely holding their lead. At half-time the Shakers trailed the Auckland team 24-26 and at the three-quarter mark the margin was still two points at 40-38.
At two minutes before full-time Diamonds coach Tania Karauria, sent Kelly Preece to replace an injured Kate Dowling at goal defence - but the change had little effect.
In the other nail-biter, teenage shooter Daneka Wipiiti was impressive for the Western Flyers, as was Cometz shooting sensation Janine Topia.
The Canterbury Flames had a comfortable win over the Magic.
A standout performance from goal keep Anna Veronese saw the Flames in total control. At half-time the Flames led 33-23, and won 62-44.
In Dunedin the Otago Rebels thrashed the Northern Force 69-53.
Fresh from from last Thursday's loss against the Southern Sting - their only loss so far - the home side were hungry for victory.
The Rebels led at every quarter and were up eight goals in the first 10 minutes.
Netball: Fresh defence not enough to save Diamonds
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