Netball: Force's goal errors earn wake-up call

By JULIE ASH

Magic coach Noeline Taurua has warned the Northern Force that they will have to improve their shooting game if they are to stop the Southern Sting from claiming their fifth national league title.

The Bay of Plenty/Waikato Magic were beaten 50-42 by the Force at the North Shore Events Centre yesterday in the second of netball's semifinals.

The Force now meet the Sting in the final on Friday night in Invercargill.

Taurua said an area of concern for the Force was their shooting. In yesterday's match, Force goal shoot Daneka Wipiiti netted just 32 goals from 50 attempts and goal attack Teresa Tairi 18 from 23.

"They missed a lot of shots," Taurua said. "They were very much under pressure. We missed a lot of rebounds, but they will have to brush up on their shooting because that is where it counts."

The last time the Sting and Force clashed, back in round four, the Sting came out on top 53-49.

"Any team can be beaten on the day," Taurua said. "It just comes down to the side who have the most hunger and desire.

"Both teams have a lot of strength, but ... [the Sting] don't make any mistakes throughout the court.

"Every ball the Force get they will need it to go through the hoop."

While the Sting had an easy 56-43 win over the Rebels in the first semifinal, in Invercargill on Friday night, yesterday's match between the Force and the Magic could have gone either way.

After a slow start the Force led 11-10 at the end of the first quarter and 22-21 at halftime.

Force defenders Linda Vagana and Kate Dowling were effective in restricting Magic shooter Irene van Dyk, while Magic centre Jenny May Coffin and her opponent Temepara Clark also put in strong performances in the physical encounter.

By the end of the third quarter the match was still tight, but again it was the Force who were ahead at the break, 33-31.

The Force took control in the last quarter, capitalising on a series of unforced errors from the Magic.

Just three changes were made throughout the entire match and they were all in the Magic camp.

Centre Jenny-May Coffin switched with wing attack Amigene Metcalfe in the last quarter, but they were switched back in an injury break.

Casey Williams was brought on late in the game to replace goal defence Jody Tini, who went off injured.

"We played with a lot of heart for the first three quarters," Taurua said.

"There were a lot of opportunities that we could have had. But the tougher team won the game. They were tougher physically and mentally."

Force coach Yvonne Willering said she sought intensity and control from her team.

"It was a nervous start, but we were under tremendous pressure to perform out there.

"Last time we got quite a lot of possession, but we lost it on attack, so it was about making those corrections."

Willering said her team were well aware they would have to step up another gear to knock the Sting off their perch at home.

"It will be a totally different ball game because they have got two mobile shooters, and I'd say their strength is there." Sting coach Robyn Broughton said Adine Harper and Donna Loffhagen would be fit for the final. In Friday's match Loffhagen hurt her hand and Harper hit her head on the floor.

Inside track

The Sting have won the competition for the past four years.

In 1998 they made the final, but lost to the Otago Rebels 57-50.

The Force are the first North Island team to make the final in the five-year history of the competition.

Five Silver Ferns will be involved in the final - Temepara Clark and Sheryl Clarke for the Force, and Adine Harper, Tania Dalton and Lesley Nicol for the Sting.