Netball: Flames out to prove their class

By RICHARD BOOCK

Benjamin Franklin, an 18th-century United States President, once said, "The things which hurt, instruct ... "

Canterbury Flames netball coach Leigh Gibbs hopes that he knew what he was talking about.

The Flames host the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in tomorrow's second national league semifinal in Christchurch, having already been beaten 42-45 by the Mooloo sisters in the sixth round.

The loss was then a setback for the Canterbury side, who until that stage had been unbeaten in the competition and had developed a reputation as the biggest threat to the defending champion, Sting.

It was also a painful reminder of what happens when highly rated teams crash, although Gibbs believes that the distasteful experience will fuel her side to greater heights tomorrow.

"I don't believe we played as well as we could have in the round-robin game. We said afterwards it would be good to have a crack at them some time again and wouldn't you know it, the opportunity has arrived.

"It will be interesting to see if we've learned from the last time."

The side that can boast a Silver Fern at each end of the court in Vilimaina Davu and Belinda Colling were beaten 40-43 in last year's final at Invercargill, and are anxious to go a step further this year and collect the silverware.

One of the side issues of the semi is the mindset of discarded Silver Fern and Flames defender Anna Veronese, whose buildup was marred this week by her non-selection in the New Zealand team.

Gibbs believes that her robust goal defence still has her mind focused on tomorrow's showdown at Cowles Stadium. She said Veronese was strong and resilient enough to cope with the blow.

"I've spoken to her about it and I've been very pleased with her reaction," Gibbs said. "She's been extremely positive and is approaching the game as a team-member of the Flames - and that's the way it should be."

Veronese's understanding with Davu and the mid-court combination of Tasha Marshall, Julie Seymour and Margaret Foster could prove a pivotal factor of the game, and if nothing else will make for a torrid battle against the Magic opposites.

The Magic have reached the semis for the first time in Coca Cola Cup history, but co-captain Jenny-May Coffin said there was enough experience in her side to cope with the occasion.

She said the squad would have a look at the venue "to soak up" the atmosphere before the game, and would attempt to counter the lack of spectator backing with their own close-knit team support.

The Silver Ferns midcourter also sounded a note of warning for anyone who thought the Magic would be easily rolled over by their hosts, saying that her side believed they were good enough to go all the way.

"We are certainly not going down there just to compete. We are there to win."

Squads: Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic: Jenny-May Coffin (co-capt), Amigene Metcalfe (co-capt), Rachel Davis, Victoria Edward, Philamena Feetham, Kylie-Jane Fryer, Hikitia Gallagher, Jolene Henry, Renee Jacobsen, Julie Kelman-Poto, Michelle Tupper.

Canterbury Flames: Belinda Colling (capt), Jo Andrew, Ursula Bowers, Vilimaina Davu, Angela Evans, Margaret Foster, Maree Grubb, Kelly Hutton, Katie Ritchie, Anna Veronese, Tasha Marshall, Julie Seymour.