Netball: Another all-action Bond

Stephanie Bond (above) and Kathryn Harby-Williams took the sting out of the Sting. Picture / Fotopress

Combating the Sting's lethal shooting combination of Tania Dalton and Donna Loffhagen is something that most National Bank Cup teams have been grappling with for years.

But last Sunday afternoon at Waitakere Stadium the Sting's usually unstoppable attack was brought to a standstill by the Diamonds Kathryn Harby-Williams and Bond - Stephanie Bond.

While Harby-Williams is renown for her determination and grit, Bond's relentless performance was by far one of her best yet.

"I think in the last quarter we showed that we could pull it all together," Bond said.

"At this stage it is just a small stepping stone ... we just have to build on it."

For the past four years it has been the Bond and Anna Scarlett show in Dunedin.

But with her law degree completed she cut her ties with Dunedin and returned to Auckland.

"It was kind of a move back home really. I have a lot of friends here and my family are in Northland."

Bond grew up in Ruawai, half an hour south of Dargaville, on a dairy farm her parents still own.

She boarded at Auckland's Diocesan School for Girls and played representative netball for the Auckland under-17s and under-19s before moving to Otago and university.

Bond is one of four children, she has two younger brothers and an older sister, all of whom are "sporty".

"There is a big emphasis on sport in country schools, everyone is encouraged to get out there ... but really there is nothing else much to do."

Their interest in sport may also have stemmed from their father Bruce who played rugby for North Auckland.

Bond said her dad's claim to fame was playing at lock in North Auckland's Ranfurly Shield reign of 1971-72.

"He knows the ups and downs of being in a team and knows how it feels when everything goes wrong or right.

"It kind of helps to have someone that knows what you are going through."

Bond is currently a member of the New Zealand A squad and while she has her sights set on the Silver Ferns she knows competition is tough in the defence end.

To her advantage she has Harby-Williams - one of the game's all time great defenders - to call on for advice.

"She has definitely got a 'do anything to win' attitude which kind of rubs off on all the girls which is pretty good," Bond said.

The Diamonds square off against local rivals North Harbour's Force tomorrow and the Flyers next weekend. Their final match in the round robin competition is against Bond's old team the Rebels, who scored an upset win over the Magic last weekend.

A result which didn't entirely surprise Bond.

"Angela Mitchell, Anna Scarlett and Debbie White have all been there for four or five years and after that amount of time it tends to all come together.

"And I think that is going to be the key to winning the competition - it is going to come down to the team that gels together the best on the day."

* Stephanie Bond

Born: Dargaville, May 16, 1981
Height: 1.83m
Positions: GD, GK
Career highlights:
2005- New Zealand A squad
2005- Auckland Waitakere Diamonds
2001-2004 - Otago Rebels.

* NATIONAL BANK CUP (ROUND FIVE)

TOMORROW:
Southern Sting v Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, 4pm Invercargill*; Capital Shakers v Flyers, Wellington, 7.30pm.


SUNDAY:
Auckland Diamonds v Northern Force, 1pm Waitakere Stadium*; Canterbury Flames v Otago Rebels, 1pm Christchurch.

* Live on ONE Sport.

The Sting and Magic lead the competition with 10 points apiece, followed by the Flames and Diamonds on nine then the Rebels and Northern Force on seven.