Diamonds upset creates logjam at top of the table
In an exciting finale to the regular season, the make-up of the National Bank Cup netball semifinalists will not be
known until after next weekend’s last round-robin matches.
In a thrilling match-up yesterday, The Trusts Diamonds upset the form guide with a storming two-goal win over the
previously unbeaten defending champions Waikao/Bay of Plenty Magic to take the race for top four spots down to the wire.
The Fujifilm Force overcame their first hurdle in that race with a commanding 54-29 win over the Southern Victorian
Otago Rebels on the North Shore today.
While the Force controlled all facets against the Rebels with their superior player power, there was little time for
reflection for Yvonne Willering’s talented but inconsistent team.
Sitting in third place, the Force will need to turn up with their A game in next week’s must-win clash against the
Magic, who share top spot with the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Sting.
``On the whole it was a pretty good, consistent performance going into next week’s game,’’ Willering said. ``The Magic
haven’t done us any favours by losing and they will be spitting. We took another step up today but it’s still not the
Force at its best and hopefully we’ve left our best to last.’’
Despite a hiccup in the third quarter, which they lost by five goals, the Sting chalked up their fifth straight win with
a 62-43 result against the Genesis Energy Shakers today.
In what has become a trademark, the Sting powered home in the final quarter to put the result beyond doubt, Tania Dalton
continuing her impressive season with another top shooting effort in notching 29 goals from 29 attempts.
Ends