Netball: Overtime rule works in Northern Force’s favour

Force coach Yvonne Willering fully endorses the new overtime rule after her side reaped the benefits of it yesterday with a thrilling 50-45 win over the Otago Rebels in Dunedin.

The National Bank Cup rules were altered this year to eliminate draws.

Instead teams are required to play an extra 10 minutes (two five minute periods) until a winner is found.

North Harbour's Force decided to give the rule a test run yesterday and were lucky to come away with a win.

The Force landed a late penalty shot which took the game to 42-all and into overtime, where the Otago side crumbled, handing the Force the win.

Force goal shoot Daneka Wipiiti sat the match out with a thumb injury leaving the shooting responsibility to 18-year-old Catherine Latu and Teresa Tairi.

Reserve player Linda Vagana also made an appearance in the last quarter after Kate Dowling was ruled out of the match injured.

"From our perspective we did have trouble getting the ball to our shooters," Willering said.

"There was nothing wrong with our shooting statistics, they were fine today, we just didn't give them enough possession.

"I think we became hesitant on attack. [Otago defender] Anna Scarlett got player of the game and probably that was warranted."

Defending champions Southern Sting had a surprisingly close encounter with the Western Flyers in New Plymouth yesterday.

The score was locked at 11-all in the first quarter before the Sting pulled away in the second quarter to lead by three at half time and five at three-quarter time.

Sting shooters Tania Dalton and Donna Loffhagen put up 58 shots and landed 46 while the Flyers' Julie Kelman-Poto and Jessica Tuki put up 55 shots and secured 38.

The Auckland Waitakere Diamonds, who have been touted to win the competition, went down to the Magic 60-51 in Tauranga on Saturday, which wasn't entirely unexpected.

Although the Diamonds boast an extremely impressive side on paper they are very much an untried lineup, as proved by their lack of rhythm through court against the Magic.

What was disappointing was the Auckland team's shooting.

The Diamonds, who used Jodi Te Huna and Jo Morrison for most of the match, could manage only 51 shots from 64 attempts.

Silver Fern Jodi Te Huna was the main culprit, scoring at just 68 per cent.

The Magic nailed 60 shots from 63 shots attempts.

Irene van Dyk scored the perfect game, landing 48 from 48.

Goal attack Anna Senio had one of the best games of her career, 12 from 15.

The Magic looked impressive, especially on defence.

The Diamonds will be disappointed not to have finished within five of the Magic, which would have seen them awarded one point.

With at least five teams expected to challenge for semifinal spots, every point counts.

Round one

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic 60 Auckland Waitakere Diamonds 51

Southern Sting 46 Western Flyers 38

Canty Flames 46 Capital Shakers 33

Northern Force 50 Otago Rebels 45 (in overtime).