Netball: Pressure on Rebels for double victory

By JULIE ASH

Lois Muir's Otago Rebels are the only side to have beaten the Southern Sting so far in the national league - but unless they knock over the Flames and Magic in their last two games they can kiss their top-four hopes goodbye.

While the Sting have all but cemented their place at the top of the table, the Canterbury Flames, Bay of Plenty/Waikato Magic, the Otago Rebels and the Auckland Diamonds are all contenders for the final three semifinal spots in the National Bank Cup.

Today in Papatoetoe the Rebels showed they are worthy of a top-four spot, beating the Counties and Manukau Cometz 68-38.

The Rebels raced out to an 18-9 lead in the first quarter before restricting the Cometz to just seven goals in the second quarter while they went on to score 21.

The Cometz threw everything they had at their opponents, but each one of their unforced errors resulted in a point on the board for the Rebels, who led 49-25 at the third quarter mark.

The Rebels' long, lean defenders, Stephanie Bond and Anna Scarlett, both had strong games.

Although happy with the win, Muir was concerned with some aspects of the game.

"We sort of lost concentration a couple of times in the third quarter ...

"We had four players involved in the New Zealand trials last weekend so we had a bit of a break earlier this week then we had the bye on Friday night," Muir said.

"Today we ... showed moments where we lacked discipline.

"We were not quite the well-oiled machine I would have liked."

The Rebels finished fifth in last year's competition and to advance any further this year they have to beat the Flames next weekend and then the Magic the following one.

"I think the team has played well throughout the competition," said Muir.

"We had a hiccup and lost our first game against the Diamonds, so that might cost us dearly.

"But if we deserve to make the top four it means we have won games to get there. There's no point getting in the top four if you are not competitive and aren't playing well.

"As I have said to the girls, it is up to them now. If they want to get into the top four we have to win these next two games."

But Muir concedes it was nice to secure that win over the Sting even if it was back in round two.

"We can dine out on that a little ... They seem to think they had a bad day that day - however, we did play well."

The Diamonds' top-four hopes took a step backward today with a 63-43 loss against the Magic in Tauranga.

The Magic led at each quarter 13-10, 30-15, 46-31 at the quarter marks.

"We got dealt to good and proper," said Auckland coach Joan Hodson.

The Diamonds face the Flyers in Auckland on Friday night and then the Flames the following week in Christchurch.

In the other round six matches played today the Flames beat the Capital Shakers 54-44 and the Sting blew away the Western Flyers 80-42.

The Force, who lost 59-53 to the Magic on Saturday, had the bye. The Sting are on top of the table on 25 points, with the Magic on 20 and the Force 17. The Flames and the Rebels have 16 and the Diamonds 13.