Netball: Sting six points in front

Defending champions Southern Sting moved six points clear at the top of the national netball league last night with a one-goal win over a gallant Diamonds team.

The Sting won 59-58, despite a gutsy 16-11 comeback by the Aucklanders in the final quarter before a packed house in Invercargill.

The previously unbeaten Northern Force went down 57-52 to the Capital Shakers in front of another sellout crowd in Wellington, but still hold second place, albeit by only one point from the Shakers.

In last night's other fifth-round matches, the Cometz' semifinal hopes took a dive with a 65-52 loss at home in Papatoetoe to the Otago Rebels, while the Canterbury Flames took a significant jump up the ladder with a crushing 68-36 victory over the Western Flyers in New Plymouth.

Tomorrow the Force play the Cometz at home at North Shore, the Flames are at home to the Diamonds, the Flyers play the Shakers in New Plymouth, while the Magic meet the Rebels in Tauranga.