Netball: No special plan for van Dyk

Irene Van Dyk

It's a case of please don't mention the 'I' word.

That word being Irene van Dyk, of course, the Magic sharpshooter who is fresh off a 48 from 48 performance against the Diamonds and is threatening to cause even more havoc against the Force.

Asked whether there were any special plans in place, like double-teaming in the circle, and Force coach Yvonne Willering was unequivocal with her response.

"No."

Like it or not, though, the spectre of IVD will loom large over this match, both literally and figuratively.

"Obviously you've got to respect the opposition and certain key members but it's more about us. Defensively we've got to take Irene into account but certainly the ball can be stopped a lot earlier.

"There's nothing we can do about her height and we also know once she's got ball in hand it's going to go through but we've got to look at other aspects rather than getting totally absorbed about that."

The Force coach is unlikely to be able to call on the resources of the injured Kate Dowling. Linda Vagana will again take her place on the bench. At the other end, Daneka Wipiiti is likely to see game time after she was rested as a precaution following a pre-season thumb injury.

"It would not have mattered who we were playing - it's going to require a step up," Willering said. One thing the Force won't have to worry about is the Rebels' protest following the National Bank Cup's first overtime match. The Rebels felt they had won the game in normal time but the Force were given 17 extra seconds to equalise when the Edgar Centre buzzer was not heard.

Netball New Zealand chief executive Shelley McMeeken said she had been in contact with both franchises on Friday to tell them the protest had not been upheld.

McMeeken said: "The rules are very clear and unambiguous. The referee's whistle is the only method of ending the game, therefore the final score stands."

However, the Rebels overcame their disappointment with a 63-36 win over the hapless Flyers on Friday night confirming that they will be in the race for a semifinal spot at the end of the round robin while the Flyers will not.

In Friday night's other game, the Diamonds kick-started their season with a 57-44 win over the Flames, with captain Anna Rowberry instrumental in the Auckland franchise dominating possession.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY