Sting 55 Diamonds 44
Everyone knows diamonds are a rare commodity. But for Auckland coach Sue Hawkins, getting enough Diamonds to fill her bench was a cost she couldn't bear, with her team defeated in Invercargill yesterday.
Despite a close contest in the first three quarters, the depth
of talent in the Sting ensured the southerners romped home. Not only did they secure a place in the semifinals but they also denied the Diamonds - fielding two bench players only - a bonus point.
The Diamonds' defensive duo of Anna Scarlett and Stephanie Bond failed to test the nerves of Sting shooter Tania Dalton but the 34-year-old had to leave the match at halftime with a migraine, to be replaced by Natalie Avellino.
The Sting placed a significant amount of early pressure on the young Diamonds attack, with the towering figure of Megan Hutton at goal keep dwarfing Silver Fern and Diamonds shooter Maria Tutaia.
The second quarter saw the game develop into a physical struggle, with the Diamonds outplaying the southerners prior to the halftime break and locking the match up at 25-all.
After an unsure start, Avellino made her way into the game, assuming the role of both feeder and shooter.
"We put everything into it - it was a team effort," Sting coach Robyn Broughton said.
"We showed a lot of character after losing Tania [Dalton]. I was very pleased with everyone's game and I thought that the defence played particularly well."
Victoria Edward of the Diamonds was left ruing what might have been.
"We enjoyed a good three quarters of the match but unfortunately let it slip in that last quarter and a lot of personal errors crept in," she said.
The other National Bank Cup match played yesterday saw the Northern Force defeat the Flyers 57-42.
