Dramatic comeback sends Sting to the final

Dramatic comeback sends Sting to the final

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Sting will appear in their ninth successive National Bank Cup netball final after a dramatic extra time comeback to beat the Fujifilm Force 64-59 in Invercargill tonight.

In a repeat of last year’s final the Sting will meet the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic supported by Sleepyhead in next Friday’s final at Mystery Creek.

The Force did all but win the match in regular time, the scores tied at 51-all with time up when Brigette Tapene missed a penalty shot under the posts to send the game into 14 minutes of extra time.

The Sting started to hit their straps when winning the fourth quarter and carried on the momentum into extra time with Australian import Natalie Avellino getting through a power of work and strong on the shot. The Sting’s defensive effort also lifted several notches and the Force, who had controlled much of the match to this point, faltered.

``It’s the first time we’ve done extra time and I’m exhausted,"’ delighted Sting coach Robyn Broughton said.

The introduction, at halftime, of Sting shooter Donna Loffhagen, who has been out of the game for 12 months, looked to have backfired after she had a slow start. But warming to her task, Loffhagen played a more prominent role as the match wore on, her height a valuable factor under the hoop and on defence.

Their confidence rocked, the Force’s finishing and spirit fell away during extra time when they were outplayed as the Sting continued their remarkable run in the competition.

The Force had a clinical and efficient opening to the game, the towering figure of Daneka Wipiiti with plenty of space, being an easy target for her feeders. On the back of more ball, the visitors stretched out to a six-goal advantage before the Sting edged back in the latter stages.

With an improved defensive record through court and excellent vision by wing attack Adine Wilson, the Sting rallied to chip away at the lead and trail by just two at the first break.

The Sting scored the first four goals of the second quarter but could not stamp any authority as both teams enjoyed momentary surges. However, the Force finished the quarter the stronger of the two on the back of the slick shooting combination of Wipiiti and the ever-cool presence of Brigette Tapene, who was prepared to put the shot up from any point of the circle. A late rash of goals by the pair and some bonus ball from defender Leana de Bruin had the Force four ahead at halftime.

With Temepara George in dynamic form the Force looked to assume control as they raced out to an eight-goal advantage but the Sting fought back well with some good turnover ball which Avellino, who replaced Belinda Colling at the break, accurate under the hoop.

The quarter finished even with the Force retaining their four-goal margin.
The Sting, with their imposing record at stake, made the most of a desperate fourth quarter, pressuring the Force into error and capitalising with some fine finishing by Avellino. With the scores level, the Force had the opportunity to finish the match at the end of regular time with a penalty shot which was missed, sending the match into extra time.

``It was there for the taking,"’ dejected Force coach Yvonne Willering said.
``We were probably the most consistent (of the two) and that’s why it’s so hard because we played pretty well today."’

Ends

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