Netball: Sting step up a gear to keep title hopes alive

The Sting’s Lesley Rumball (left) and Diamonds’ Victoria Edward tussle in the last game of Kathryn Harby-Williams (left). Picture / Greg Bowker

Sting 52 Diamonds 48

Defeated Diamonds coach Sue Hawkins says she will be surprised if the Sting don't make it to the final of the National Bank Cup, because they are masters of stepping up in pressure situations.

The Sting came from behind to beat the Diamonds in yesterday's minor semifinal.

They now face the Force in Auckland on Friday to decide who meets the Magic in the final.

The Diamonds held a narrow advantage well into the final quarter but coughed up possession after a stepping call which allowed the Sting to surge out to a two-goal lead in the dying minutes and take the match.

"A couple of crucial mistakes turned the momentum their way and they capitalised on that," Hawkins said.

"I think when it got tough the Sting were able to take that little step up. I would be surprised if the Force beat them."

Although the Diamonds beat the Sting in round-robin play, the return of midcourter Adine Wilson has clearly boosted the defending champions, who are beginning to look capable of winning their seventh consecutive National Bank Cup title.

Yesterday's match could have gone either way. After an error-ridden first quarter the Diamonds battled back in the second to lead 27-24 at half-time.

Diamonds defenders Stephanie Bond and Kathryn Harby-Williams contained the Sting's dynamic duo of Tania Dalton and Donna Loffhagen, as they did in the round-robin match.

But with Wilson back, the Sting seemed happy to throw it around and wait for their shooters to break through.

Down the other end Diamonds shooters Jodi Te Huna and Jo Morrison had to scrap for every ball.

In an effort to boost the height in her defensive circle, Sting coach Robyn Broughton brought Katie Fay on to goal keep in the third quarter, pushing Anna Galvan out to wing defence. It paid off in the dying minutes when the Sting completely starved their opponents of the ball.

"The girls are disappointed. We didn't want our campaign to end so soon, but I am really proud that we got this far," said Hawkins, who has another year to go on her contract.

For Broughton, revenge must be sweet. After three consecutive losses in the round robin, plenty wrote off the Sting's semifinal chances.

But never did she think her side would not come through. "Not with these sorts of players, who want it and are out there doing their very best.

"Experience - you can't ever do without it. It was just pressure at the end and who was going to master it. I thought both teams took it to each other and it was a jolly good game."

The match was the last for former Australian captain Kathryn Harby-Williams, who has now retired from netball.

Harby-Williams retired from international netball in 2003 but moved last year to Auckland, where she has played two seasons with the Diamonds.

"I have loved every minute of it," Harby-Williams said.

"After retiring from international netball with Australia I have almost come back to the reason why you play when you are a young girl.

"It is almost harder retiring this time around because there hasn't been any pressure and I have just enjoyed netball for what it is."