Netball: Shooting gem too much for Magic

The Force's Leana de Bruin (rear) works to block Rebels shooter Lizzie Sandom. Picture / Martin Sykes

How do you solve a problem like Maria is a question the Diamonds' opponents will be asking themselves as the Auckland side close in on a semifinal spot.

The Diamonds' upset win over the Magic can be attributed to their suffocating defence and the composed display from young Silver Fern Maria Tutaia, who with her sleek turn and shooting style has become the most exciting shooter to emerge in recent years.

The win was a must for the Diamonds to keep their semifinal hopes alive. With just one round of the National Bank Cup remaining they are fourth equal with the Flames.

But the Flames have the difficult task of tackling the Sting in Invercargill in their final match, while the Diamonds face the less-fancied Flyers in Napier.

Despite the loss the Magic remain at the top of the table equal on points with the Sting. The Force are still third after their comfortable but patchy win over the Rebels yesterday.

The Force have to beat the Magic this weekend to ensure they make the playoffs. Otherwise they will have to rely on the Sting to beat the Flames.

The Sting, Force and Flames all scored predictable wins over the weekend, but the young Diamonds side pulled off the most dramatic win of the competition so far in front of a full house at Waitakere Stadium.

After leading 13-9 at the first-quarter break the Magic lost their way in the second quarter.

Diamonds defenders Anna Scarlett and Stephanie Bond achieved what very few defenders in the world have, restricting Magic shooter Irene van Dyk.

The pair successfully double-teamed the Silver Fern maestro, their long reach and timing on jumping the shot proving extremely effective.

But great defensive work is of little use unless the ball is going through the hoop at the other end of the court and there the Diamonds also delivered, Jo Morrison and Maria Tutaia ending the match with 49 goals from 60 attempts compared with the Magic's 47 from 61.

The Diamonds held a three-goal lead at halftime which they managed to sustain going into the final 15 minutes.

The Magic levelled the score with four minutes to go but a flurry of unforced errors undid their good work.

Diamonds coach Sue Hawkins - delighted not only that her side had won but also that she had not been required to take the court after adding her name to the playing list last week - had plenty of praise for Scarlett and Bond.

Last year Scarlett was in the Rebels team who were the only side to beat the Magic. Her performance against van Dyk was a key factor in that match.

"We know Irene has got a very high release," Hawkins said. "The jump is effective, although she [Scarlett] got pinged for a few discipline things."

Some at Waitakere Stadium believed Scarlett, who has almost become the Richie McCaw of netball in that she pushes the rules to the limit, should have got pinged more.

From courtside it was clear van Dyk was subject to some fairly aggressive play that was not being called.

Magic coach Noeline Taurua conceded the Diamonds played well but said she would like to have seen more consistency from the umpires. "You don't mind what the calls are as long as they are the same for both teams."

At the North Shore Events centre yesterday, the Force wore the Rebels down in the first quarter, sailing out to a 16-8 lead.

From there the victory was never in doubt as they extended their lead to 26-13 at halftime, 43-19 at three-quarter time and finally 54-29.

Round six

* Canterbury Flames 65 Western Flyers 18

* Auckland Waitakere Diamonds 49 Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 47

* Southern Sting 62 Capital Shakers 43

* Northern Force 54 Otago Rebels 29