Netball: Force power to semifinal

By JULIE ASH

The Magic are expecting an "emotional" encounter when they square off against North Harbour's Force in the national league semifinals.

The Bay of Plenty/Waikato Magic edged out the Otago Rebels 53-52 in Dunedin in the final round of the league today.

And by finishing within five goals of the Magic the Rebels secured a bonus point and the final semifinal spot ahead of the Auckland Diamonds, who downed the Canterbury Flames 58-54.

The Rebels now line up against defending champions the Southern Sting.

The Force cemented second place and a home semifinal after a convincing win over Wellington's Capital Shakers.

The Force led in every quarter at the North Shore Events Centre - 16-7, 31-13, 46-24 before winning 61-32.

"It got a bit messy on our behalf," said Force defender Linda Vagana.

"But we managed to tidy it up and it was good to come away with such a good win before the semis."

The Force must now beat the Magic, a team they lost to by six goals in round six of the competition, to advance to the final.

"It is good we are playing the Magic because it gives us another shot at them," Vagana said.

"We didn't do anything well the last time we played them so we are really hoping to make up for that."

Magic coach Noeline Taurua is aware the Force will be out for revenge.

"I think if you look at it realistically we only played them about three weeks ago and it will still be an emotional loss for them," she said.

"It is going to be a very, very hard game.

"We can't take it lightly even though we beat them the last time we met."

While the Force had no trouble beating the Shakers in their last round robin match, Taurua's Magic were pushed to the end by the Rebels.

The Rebels led 13-11 in the first quarter thanks to some tight defence from Anna Scarlett, who was moved back into goal keep to try and shut down the Magic's reliable shooter Irene van Dyk.

The Rebels extended their lead to 28-21 at half time but a reshuffle in the Magic lineup caused the young Otago side some difficulty in the third quarter.

Amigene Metcalfe moved to centre switching with Jenny-May Coffin who went to wing attack.

And in the defence, the 1.84m tall Casey Williams replaced Jody Tini at goal defence.

The added height of Williams in the defensive circle worked a treat for the Magic.

They were able to close the gap to two going into the last quarter.

The Magic made several more changes heading into the last 15 minutes.

Coffin and Metcalfe were switched back and Williams moved back to goal keep and Leana du Plooy out to goal defence.

Midway through the last quarter the Magic levelled the score and then steadily edged ahead through a series of misdirected passes from the Rebels.

After the match Taurua said she was concerned about the consistency of the umpiring.

"Irene [van Dyk] was battered a lot. She got a hell of a hiding really. She had to scrape herself up off the floor and shoot many times.

"She had arms all over her.

"I think it really has to come down to the safety of the players."

The Diamonds had to be the unluckiest team of the weekend.

The Auckland side led the Flames in every quarter 12-10, 31-23, 43-40 before winning 58-54.

But it was not enough to secure them a semifinal spot losing out to the Rebels on a goal differential.

"It is always good to finish on a win but we were dependent on other results," said Diamonds coach Joan Hodson.

"It wasn't a bad game but we let them get right back in it which was disappointing."

In the other match today, the Counties Manukau Cometz beat the Western Flyers 51-45.

In this weekend's semifinals the Sting play the Rebels in Invercargill on Friday night.

The Force face the Magic on Sunday afternoon at the North Shore Events Centre.