Netball: Anna the gem but Diamonds stutter

Diamonds captain Anna Rowberry was a rare sparkle in an otherwise dulled 54-41 victory over the Capital Shakers at the Waitakere Stadium last night. The Diamonds' second win in the National Bank Cup sounded more convincing than it actually was.

On paper, the Auckland-Waitakere team should be one of the favourites to win the 2005 title, boasting an impressive list of Silver Ferns, Australian and English internationals. But after an erratic performance against one of the lesser-ranked teams last night, their talents will be seriously tested next weekend when they meet six-time champions Southern Sting.

Rowberry, coming back from knee injury, used her rocket throw to pierce the Shakers' defence. There were flashes of brilliance when the ball darted from the hands of former Australian captain Kathryn Harby-Williams at the back of the court, to Rowberry and on to shooters Jodi Te Huna and Jo Morrison.

But too often the home team let a determined young Shakers side back into the game.

There was an agonising string of turnovers before goal attack Te Huna scored the first goal after two minutes. Diamonds were less than convincing in the opening quarter, uncertain shooting by Te Huna and Jo Morrison letting a four-goal lead slide to one before scratching out a 12-9 lead at the first break.

But six successive goals shot the Diamonds out to 28-18 at halftime. Silver Fern Te Huna ended the game with 33 from 42, while Morrison did not miss a shot in the final three quarters.

Shakers coach Sheryl George-Burns shuffled her team around for the third quarter and the changes produced a much more concerted effort. Led by experienced midcourter Frances Solia, the Shakers won the quarter by one, to bring the score back to 38-29.

Shakers goal shoot Michelle Tupper, at 1.95m the tallest player in the league, stood a full head above the Diamonds defenders in what could have been an unfair advantage.

But the Shakers relied too heavily on the long, high lob through to Tupper, who struggled with her shots, and Harby-Williams and Bond easily read the play.

Goal attack Jamilah Gupwell shared the shooting load, scoring 22 of her 29 attempts, to Tuppers 19 from 30.

Diamonds coach Sue Hawkins introduced a pair of fresh legs at goal keep, in New Zealand under-21 defender Rachel Rasmussen, for the final quarter and the variation was enough to keep the Shakers at bay.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY