Netball: Choice of matches to watch difficult for national coach

By RICHARD BOOCK

Yvonne Willering's toughest call these days might be deciding which of the top Coca-Cola Cup netball matches to attend.

One of the game's most comprehensive analysts, the Silver Ferns coach has been fully occupied in the lead-up to the test series against England, and if she had a chance, would probably be in Christchurch and Auckland at the same time tomorrow.

Alas, this is impossible even for Willering, who will remain in the City of Sails over the weekend to watch the keenly awaited Force-Flyers showdown on the North Shore tomorrow, as well as this evening's match between the defending champion Sting and Georgie Salter's Auckland Diamonds.

Unfortunately, she will have to wait for the videotape to see what happens between the title-contending Shakers and Flames, who will meet in Christchurch for the first time since last year's hard-fought semifinal.

On that occasion it was the Flames who were able to progress through to the final, but whatever the result tomorrow, the highlight is bound to be another riveting duel between New Zealand team members Irene van Dyk and Vilimaina Davu.

Van Dyk, who piloted the Shakers to a hair-raising 73-71 win over the Western Flyers in last weekend's second round, will be expecting another torrid workout from the Flames' goal-keep tomorrow, in one of several absorbing match-ups around the league.

About the same time as van Dyk and Davu will be testing each other out, another huge battle is likely to be taking place at the North Shore Events Centre, where the Force and the Flyers will stage a replay of their epic thriller in last season's third round.

Deadlocked at 50-50 at the end of that game, both sides have a point to prove in tomorrow's match - with the Force anxious to extend their unbeaten record, and the Flyers keen to build on last weekend's brave effort against the Shakers.

To achieve that, they will need another strong performance from New Zealand squad member and goal-shoot Daneka Wipiiti, who set the Queens Events Centre on fire during the second round with an outstanding shooting effort.

The Taranaki teenager was by all accounts in remarkable form, dropping a good percentage of her 52 (from 65) shots from wide on the circle - and will face a searching examination tomorrow when she comes up against experienced Silver Fern defender Linda Vagana.

In other games, the tall Sting combination are expected to make life tough for the Diamonds at the Unitec Stadium tonight, and Magic are favoured to over-run the Rebels tomorrow in Dunedin.