Netball: Top teams need a win to advance to semifinals

Nothing less than a win will be good enough for the teams vying for semifinal spots in the final round of the National Bank Cup.

In what has been the closest and most unpredictable conclusion to the round robin competition in the league's nine-year history, it is still not known who will be in next weekend's semifinals and where they will be played.

The Magic and the Sting are at the top of the table with 16 points. The Force have 14 and the Diamonds and Flames have 13.

The first significant game of the weekend sees the Magic up against the Force. Coming off an upset loss to the Diamonds last weekend, the Magic need the win to secure a home semifinal.

The Force have been patchy throughout the season but have the players to challenge the Magic who have also been a bit error-prone in recent weeks. The key for the Force will be shutting down Irene van Dyk and ensuring they are accurate under the hoop themselves.

A loss for the Force could see them miss out on a top four spot.

The Flames and the Diamonds are fourth equal. While the Diamonds should post a comfortable win over the Flyers, the Flames face the unenviable task of beating the Sting at Stadium Southland for the first time in their history to stay in the race.

The Sting are the stronger team by far but in Julie Seymour, Vilimaina Davu and Shelley Norris, the Flames have three players who could upset.

If the Flames do beat the Sting and the Force beat the Magic, the Diamonds will miss out.

If two teams are tied on points then the result of the game between the two sides decides the winner.

If more than two teams have the same number of points then the goal average of the pool games will decide the placings - which is goals for divided by goals against.

Fixtures

Final round

Today: Otago Rebels v Capital Shakers, Dunedin, Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic v Northern Force, Tauranga, both 4pm.

Tomorrow: Southern Sting v Canterbury Flames, Invercargill, live TV One, Western Flyers v Auckland Waitakere Diamonds, Napier, both 1pm.