Australia edge Silver Ferns with late flurry

Australia edge Silver Ferns with late flurry

Back-to-back losses have put the heat on the Silver Ferns ahead of the World Netball Championships after they succumbed 50-47 to Australia in Birmingham this morning (NZ time).

Showing a big improvement in their second test of the tri-series after losing to England by five goals two days ago, the Silver Ferns had their chances against Australia but were let down by some inconsistent finishing.

The Silver Ferns let slip a solid start to trail by five at the end of the first quarter but, as shown against England in the first test, the New Zealanders drew on their fighting spirit to haul themselves back into the match.

The New Zealanders had narrowed the deficit to just two at halftime, lifting their urgency in a battle which was tight and abrasive throughout as neither team gave an inch.

Prominent in the second and third quarters, the Silver Ferns levelled the scores with nine minutes to play but were unable to stem a late surge from the Australians.

The skill and cool head of shooter Sharelle McMahon allowed the Australians to keep their noses in front as they went on to secure their fourth win in the last six outings against New Zealand.

Six months out from the World Netball Championships in Auckland, coach Ruth Aitken was happy with the progress being made as the Silver Ferns prepare for the Championships with a three-test series against Australia and a two-test Fisher & Paykel Series against Jamaica still to come.

“I’m not completely happy but we’re on the right track,” Aitken said.

“I thought it was an amazing game today and I was really pleased with the improvement that we made since the other night (against England).”

“I thought we were a lot more committed to our team defence and we picked up quite a lot of turnover ball. We just didn’t quite convert it when we needed too in those final stages but that polish is still to come.”

The pairing of Maria Tutaia and Irene van Dyk looks full of promise and provided the New Zealand shooting circle with more movement and options. Tutaia’s calm presence and willingness to shoot from anywhere took much of the pressure off van Dyk but today, missed opportunities at crucial times let Australia off the hook.

The Silver Ferns, who started the match with three changes to their starting line-up, got away to a confident start.

Veteran midcourter Julie Seymour slotted in at centre for her 77th cap, Tutaia took over the goal attack’s bib and Casey Williams started at goal keeper, impressing throughout the game with a high intercept rate.

The Silver Ferns were forced to work hard through the midcourt early on as they battled to thread the ball through Australia’s stiff defensive challenge where the von Bertouch sisters, Laura and Natalie and wing defence Selina Gilsenan throttled much of New Zealand’s attacking momentum.

The Australian pressure paid dividends, giving them more possession with a five-goal unanswered streak leading to a first quarter buffer. The accuracy and slippery movement of shooters Sharelle McMahon and Susan Pratley helped Australia to a 17-12 first quarter lead.

The New Zealanders lifted their intensity with a strong start to the second quarter where Joline Henry replaced Scarlett, her teaming with the rangy Casey Williams putting the squeeze on the Australia shooters.

The hard working Seymour and Laura Langman provided stability through court as New Zealand enjoyed a greater share of possession while at the defensive end Williams’ height advantage and ability to sniff out intercepts paid dividends.

Van Dyk and tenacious Australian captain Liz Ellis continued their traditional rivalry with a titanic battle under the hoop but van Dyk, along with Tutaia rose to the occasion during this spell, helping the Silver Ferns head into halftime just in arrears at 24-22.

The Silver Ferns again battled gamely to win the third quarter where livewire centre Temepara George, replacing Seymour, helped raise the tempo with her darting runs and speed to the ball.

The teams went neck and neck for the final 20 minutes of the game, big defensive efforts from both teams resulting in end-to-end action as bodies went on the line.

Tenacious Australia captain Liz Ellis and her defensive partner Mo’onia Gerrard were relentless while at the other end of the court, Williams and Henry were also shining lights for the New Zealand team.

The Silver Ferns lost an opportunity to take the lead for the first time since the first quarter with just minutes to go. Australia seized the moment to resume control and with a final flurry of goals secured a tight match.

ENDS

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