Netball: Depleted Diamonds rise to the occasion

Despite the efforts of captain Temepara George, the Force could not match the Diamonds' commitment. Picture / Richard Robinson

Diamonds coach Sue Hawkins wasn't quite sure whether to sit or stand during the final few minutes of her side's compelling 47-43 win over the Force yesterday at the North Shore Events Centre.

Having lost four key players in the last two months, including Anna Rowberry, who retired last weekend, Hawkins achieved what many thought would have been impossible.

She installed belief into a team of mostly youngsters who went out and confidently beat a much more experienced North Harbour side.

From the first whistle it was clear the Diamonds were operating several gears above their opponents, with the exception of the tireless Force captain Temepara George.

The Force struggled in every facet. Their passing was laboured, their shooting was ordinary and their defence strained.

Trailing their opponents 13-9 in the first quarter, the Force fought back early in the second quarter to level the score, only to slip away again in the latter stages to hand the Diamonds a 25-21 halftime lead.

After that they never really got into a position to overtake the Diamonds. The closest they came was four goals in the last part of the last quarter.

Although Force coach Yvonne Willering struggled to find a shooting combination to tackle the Diamonds' Anna Scarlett and Stephanie Bond, she said she was most disappointed with her side's defence.

"We allowed Auckland to run the game at their pace. Certainly an element went their way, even the bounce of the ball went their way, but they created a lot of opportunities, to be fair. They really took it to us and we didn't really respond.

"We worked as individuals rather than as a collective unit out there. It cost us in the end."

While the loss was disappointing for the Force, a side regarded as definite semifinalists, Willering said they couldn't dwell on it and must now look ahead to their next game against the Sting, as "there is still a long way to go".

While Diamonds youngsters Maria Tutaia, Grace Rasmussen and Rawinia Everitt all stood up in the match, the performances of captain Victoria Edward and shooter Jo Morrison, who provided a steadying influence on attack, were outstanding.

The win was a step in the right direction, Hawkins said, but the key for her team now was to ensure it was not a one-off.

"We have got to focus now on the job. This isn't the grand final. We need to pick up where we made mistakes and build on what we have got."

After three rounds of the competition, defending champions the Magic remain at the top of the table with three wins from three games. The only unbeaten team in the competition, they scored a comfortable 55-43 win over the Flames on Friday night.

In other matches Silver Ferns captain Adine Wilson led the Sting to a 61-38 win over the Otago Rebels on Saturday.

Midcourter Wilson was named player of the match as the southerners strung together their second win in a row.

Sting shooter Tania Dalton was the standout in the circle, succeeding with 28 of her 29 attempts at goal.

NATIONAL BANK CUP
Round three:
* Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 55 Canterbury Flames 43
* Capital Shakers 43 Western Flyers 41
* Southern Sting 61 Otago Rebels 38
* Auckland Waitakere Diamonds 47 Northern Force 43