Netball: Unfancied Shakers ignore the form book

By JULIE ASH

The Force's narrow 43-42 win over the Shakers was the major talking point in the opening round of netball's national league.

While there were no surprises in the other three matches - the Flames burned the Rebels 53-27, the Sting annihilated the Flyers 76-29 and the Magic beat the Diamonds 48-40 - it was expected the Force would be too strong for the untried Shakers lineup at the North Shore Events Centre.

However, that wasn't the case as the Wellington-based side came close to scoring the first upset of the competition.

With new recruits Katie Ritchie, Cusha Lichtwark, Megan Hutton and Karen Aspinall, the Shakers held a narrow lead in the first two quarters before the Force came back to go into the last quarter ahead by five.

However, the North Shore-based side couldn't build on their lead and were lucky to escape with the one-point win.

Force shooter Daneka Wipiiti had a shocker in the first quarter netting just five shots from 14 attempts before she was replaced by Julie Kelman-Poto, who proved a lot more effective.

"We had problems in the shooting circle. Our shooting stats weren't up with it. But that was only one area," said Force coach Yvonne Willering.

"We didn't stick to our game plan and we got involved in playing the style of the opposition. It was a physical game that we really didn't make adjustments too."

Former Rebels shooter Ritchie was effective for her new side landing 33 from 39, while goal attack Elevina Fa'amausili secured nine shots from 11 attempts.

The Auckland Diamonds made a strong start in their match against the Magic in Auckland yesterday but couldn't maintain momentum.

Playing at goal defence for the Diamonds Kathryn Harby-Williams made an immediate impact in her debut national league match, notorious one-hand passes and all.

While nothing separated the Diamonds and the Magic in the first quarter the telling difference was the Diamonds' wayward passes on attack particularly in their own shooting third.

A lack of passing accuracy and missed shots were taken advantage of by the Magic goal defence Leanna du Plooy and goal keep Casey Williams who had a productive game.

The Diamonds new shooting lineup had a far from perfect day. Janine Topia and Juanita Nilsen landed 28 from 41 attempts while Shelley Norris and Bridgette Tapene, who came on in the last quarter, nailed 12 from 15.

For the Magic Irene van Dyk missed just three in 40 attempts while Renee Jacobsen secured five from nine and Anna Senio six from eight.

Diamonds co-captain Anna Rowberry, who was sideline with a broken arm, said it was a shame her side had missed out on a bonus point for finishing within five of the Magic.

"It is our attack end that let us down, just that finesse, our placement of passing, our availability ... I think people need to go out there and take the responsibility and initiate more. I think we are waiting for others to do the job.

"We need people to really look at what their bid says and go out there and do it."

Though disappointed to have lost Harby-Williams was satisfied with her first appearance in New Zealand's big league.

"I enjoyed it but obviously was very disappointed to have lost," she said.

"The standard is really good. It is hard work out there and you feel like you come off the court having had a good physical contest."

National Bank Cup squads and draw