Netball: All on the line for last national semifinal spot

Otago goal attack Lizzie Standom competes for the ball with Auckland Waitakere's Stephanie Bond. Phil Walter / Getty Images

North coach Melissa Walker has found a way of calming her nerves before her side takes the court.

She listens to "heavy" music, really loud.

After two defeats yesterday, her ear drums are in for a beating today when her side line up against Auckland Waitakere to decide the final semifinalist in the national championships.

Waikato, Southland and Canterbury are all assured semifinal spots, leaving the defending champions North to tackle Auckland Waitakere today.

With both sides containing an even mix of youth and experience the match could go either way.

The challenge for North will be containing Auckland Waitakere's dead-eye shooter Maria Tutaia and steering clear of their twin tower defenders Anna Scarlett and Stephanie Bond.

The challenge for Auckland Waitakere will be keeping up with the world's most potent centre Temepara George.

Auckland Waitakere coach Paula Bailey said consistency will be the key for her team.

"We have got the individuals in the team to do it.

"It will be, in particular the young ones, keeping going for the full 15 minutes for the four quarters."

Yesterday Auckland Waitakere went down to Canterbury 54-46 but bounced back to beat Otago 45-33.

Auckland Waitakere's game against Canterbury was similar to their encounter with Southland, where things looked promising early on but lapses in concentration, possibly a result of their inexperience in various positions, proved costly.

Their match against Otago marked the return of centre Jenny-May Coffin, who missed the first two days of the tournament with a calf strain.

Coffin immediately provided a steadying influence through court.

However it wasn't enough to prevent Otago - who capitalised on several wobbly attempts at goal from Auckland Waitakere - from going into the first break ahead 9-8.

In the second quarter Auckland Waitakere defenders Anna Scarlett and Stephanie Bond got the better of their opponents, picking up plenty of ball which was converted at the other end. Auckland Waitakere led 24-16 at halftime. They struggled to shake Otago in the third quarter but finished strongly.

North's losses yesterday came against the experienced Southland side (53-47) who they let get away in the first quarter, and Waikato who blew them away in the third quarter to win 46-38.

George sat out the match against Waikato, as instructed by Netball NZ.

Waikato trialled a different shooting combination with Hayley Stockman at goal attack and Irene van Dyk at goal shoot.

North led by one at the first break but by halftime Waikato were back in front 23-17, which they extended to 35-24 at three quarter time.

In other top six matches yesterday Waikato beat Otago 58-48 after trailing at halftime. Van Dyk, who is carrying a thigh injury, was rested for the first half.

With the Silver Ferns set to play Australia next month, the Silver Ferns players carrying niggly injuries were asked to sit out four quarters in yesterday's double header round.

* Netball Australia yesterday agreed to a pay rise for the national side, paving the way for the test series against New Zealand next month to take place.

The Australian side missed a selection camp to prepare for the three-test series in New Zealand because of the pay dispute, but will today head to Canberra for a four-day training session.

Netball Australia agreed to double the players' daily allowance to A$200 ($230) to help cover lost wages while on national team duty.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Trusts Stadium Waitakere.

Today's first grade games

Top six

North v Auckland Waitakere, 3.45pm
Otago v Southland, 5.30pm
Canterbury v Waikato, 7.15pm.

Points*: Southland 14, Waikato 14, Canterbury 12, Auckland Waitakere 5, North 4, Otago 0.
*four points for a win.

Bottom six

Counties Manukau v Bay of Plenty, 3.45pm
Wellington v Western, 5.30pm
Eastern v Tasman, 7.15pm.