Netball: Lynch finds her head and heart give mixed signals

By JULIE ASH

Capital Shakers coach Maria Lynch believes the team who settle first and make the fewest errors will win tonight's final in Invercargill.

Sounds simple enough but Lynch, who coached the Force between 2000 and 2002, admits it will take an almighty effort from the North Harbour side to prevent the Southern Sting from claiming their fifth consecutive national league title.

"My heart is telling me the Force but my head is telling me the Sting," Lynch said.

"The Sting have been there, they are pretty seasoned players and they have had a good buildup to the final.

"They are very, very good at keeping possession all the time and they hardly ever make errors."

Lynch said there would be some great match-ups on court, such as Adine Harper against Sheryl Clarke if Clarke is played at wing defence, Lesley Nicol against Temepara Clark, Tania Dalton against Linda Vagana and Donna Loffhagen against Kate Dowling.

The Force attack will pretty much pick itself, but coach Yvonne Willering has decisions to make on the defensive lineup.

At goal keep and goal defence Vagana and Sheryl Clarke are probably the strongest combination, but Clarke was extremely effective in shutting down Magic wing attack Amigene Metcalfe when she was played at wing defence last week, so Willering may use her in a similar role against Harper.

Clarke may start at goal defence and Kimberley Horton at wing defence. Vagana should start at goal keep ahead of Lorna Suafoa, with either Clarke or Dowling as goal defence.

At the other end, Force shooter Daneka Wipiiti caused some concern with her performance last week against the Magic, netting just 32 shots from 50 attempts.

But like Willering, Lynch has faith in the 20-year-old.

"I have always found Daneka rises to the occasion. She came good in the end last weekend and although she hasn't had the best shooting statistics this year I am sure playing in the final will lift her performance."

The Sting have made every final of the national league since its inception in 1998, but the Force are the first North Island team to make it through.

"I think it is going to go right down to the wire," Lynch said.

"It is going to be a fast and physical game but I think the team that settles quickly and makes the least errors will win."