KEY POINTS:
Silver Fern Anna Scarlett should be able to withstand the heat of the Flames today having already been dropped in a cauldron.
When the Diamonds made their four-match tour to Melbourne a fortnight ago, groundwork for their opening game of the National Bank Cup this afternoon, they were scorched.
It was 42C when they fronted up to the Melbourne Phoenix, semifinalists in last year's Commonwealth Bank Trophy - though it was a 6pm game. The Diamonds were leading by six before defender Scarlett was taken off the court suffering from heat stroke, and then the team went off the boil.
Scarlett has now fully recovered, and although the Diamonds lost three of their four matches (the only win over the Victoria under-21s), it was the baptism of fire they were after to prepare for the NBC.
Heat won't be an issue in Christchurch, where the temperature is expected to just reach double digits. And it should be the Diamonds who pour on the pressure, heavier in experience than the Flames, who are without an import player this season.
So far in the opening round, it has been the visiting sides who have drawn first blood - the Force stealing a rare victory from Invercargill, and defending champions the Magic trouncing the low-on-experience Flyers in New Plymouth.
The Northern franchise has traditionally been sent packing by six-time champions the Sting in the past decade, but Thursday night's 51-46 win to the Force may be a sign of things to come in this last version of the NBC. The Force managed to turn a hitch into an advantage, with the depleted team rallying together.
"We survived it. We were two defenders down, but everyone else stepped up to the mark for us," said Force coach Yvonne Willering, who went south without veterans Lorna Suafoa and Sheryl Scanlan.
"The fact we've had a few injuries gave us the opportunity to give everyone time on court in the build-up. That paid off."
In particular, two of the least experienced players, Ritua Petero and Finau Pulu, had stellar games sharing the wing defence role, while captain Temepara George led by example at centre.
The Sting had the better of the first two quarters, with shooter Donna Wilkins (Loffhagen) having an almost perfect game, finishing with 25 from 26 attempts. But the consistent scoring of the Force's Catherine Latu and Megan Dehn wore down the Sting, turning a three-goal deficit at halftime to a lead of 10 for much of the final spell.
"We had a slow start - very enthusiastic but hesitant," Willering said. "We haven't had many tough games until now, other than against men's teams, and in Sting country you can't get it any tougher."
Irene van Dyk had a shooting spree in the Magic's 74-28 win on Thursday night, putting away 65 of her 70 shots.
Magic coach Noeline Taurua threw on a host of combinations during the game, including testing Silver Fern defender Joline Henry at centre.
The match also marked the return of former Ferns' captain, Anna Stanley (Rowberry), with a stand-out performance at wing attack.
