Netball: England snatch thrilling victory

By Suzanne McFadden

A smooth goal on the final buzzer gave England a dramatic one-point win over North on the first night of netball's Star series in Auckland last night.

An Australian influence was obvious in the style of English shooters Tracey Neville and Lisa Stanley, who "wanted to cry" as she netted the winning goal for the 56-55 thriller.

In contrast, South, the team predicted to walk away with this series, had an uninspiring win over the hot-and-cold Central 60-52.

North were over-brimming with confidence when they took the court - imported goal attack Lisa Gregory burning a path into the shooting circle guided by crisp passing from centre Temepara George. They deservedly led by seven at the first break.

But they became a little too cocky, and the English steadily warmed into an Australian-like rhythm.

England's shooters are being tutored by Australian Margaret Caldow, and their style has changed dramatically - from the one-handed flick to a steadier, higher shot.

Stanley and Neville, sister of Manchester United soccer stars Phil and Garry Neville, had little trouble evading North's defenders Lorna Suafoa and Linda Vagana, and put England up 27-26 at halftime.

England captain Jo Zinzan at wing defence worked herself to a frazzle while their rangy circle defence tied North shooter Tania Nicholson in a knot under the net.

The English looked comfortable with three minutes to go, but North pulled themselves together and drew equal until Stanley's last-gasp goal.

South were touted to trample over allcomers in this series, but they did not dominate in their debut.

It's not easy for a team to gel after only 30 hours together, and it was even tougher for the Central side, a hotch-potch of players from around the country.

South outpointed Central two-to-one in the first quarter, lost cohesion early in the next, but led 31-21 at halftime.

Then the casualties began - Central's wing attack Sonya Hardcastle off with breathing problems, South's wing defence Lesley Nicol hurting an ankle. But the big worry was Central shooter Noeline Taurua, carried off by her team-mates after wrenching a knee.

Central coach Georgina Salter was left with few options, and resorted to putting shooter-goal keep Jodi Te Huna at centre. She'd never played there before, but did the job admirably.

Central responded to the determined efforts of their co-captain Belinda Charteris at goal defence and closed to within six.

Sixteen-year-old Central shooter Daneka Wipiiti coped well in her first major game, shooting 22 from 25 in her second half appearance.