Netball: Diamonds coach looking for lots more sparkle in next hitout

Diamonds coach Sue Hawkins is looking for another 30 per cent from her team as they prepare to tackle the Canterbury Flames tonight in Christchurch in round two of the National Bank Cup.

The Diamonds come to the match off a 60-51 loss to the Magic while the Flames are already registered on the points table with a 46-33 win over the Shakers.

"The Magic played extremely well," Hawkins said. "I think we played to about 70 per cent of our potential. We had a lot of turnovers ... We have to make sure we cherish the ball."

The Diamonds boast one of the strongest teams on paper but, as last week's match against the Magic showed, they are very much a new line-up and one that is going to need time to gel.

The same can be said of the Flames, who lost a wealth of experience last year with the retirement of Julie Seymour and Belinda Charteris and the unavailability of Belinda Colling.

In tonight's match the Diamonds will be looking for more precision through court and accuracy from shooters, especially Silver Fern goal attack Jodi Te Huna who netted 20 shots from 29 attempts in her opening match.

"Jodi is in a bit of a transition period going from goal shoot to goal attack," Hawkins said.

"It is different to be able to get the work rate up there and the shot as well. She is disappointed in different parts of her game but she is looking forward to lifting her performance."

With the competition just one round long, losses are expensive.

Round two

TONIGHT: Canterbury Flames v Auckland Waitakere Diamonds, Christchurch 7.30pm; Western Flyers v Otago Rebels, Palmerston North, 7.30pm.

SUNDAY: Southern Sting v Capital Shakers, Invercargill, 1pm; North Harbour Force v Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, North Shore, 1pm.