NZ Men Overcome Mixed Invitational 47-39 In Cadbury Netball Series Opener

13 July, 2022

Showing their greater experience, the New Zealand Men sparked the opening of the four-day Cadbury Netball Series with a 47-39 win over the Mixed Invitational in Auckland on Wednesday.

The Mixed team delivered a decent first hit-out on the back of having little time to forge their connections. A strong response giving them the edge through the second half but a handy 10-goal lead at halftime provided enough wriggle room for the Men to clinch the win.

A feature of the series since 2019, the Men continued to showcase their athletic, aerial and physical skills to a wider audience with a comfortable first-up clash and both teams will look to add the polish as the series progresses.

In a world first, with the Mixed team making their introduction at the elite level, it was the fast, effective and quick interplay of the well-credentialled Men’s side who got away to a seamless start.

The unfamiliar members of the Invitational team took time to settle and find their feet as the playmaking skills of Powell and defensive hustle of Wetere and Daniel Rich at the other end, paid early dividends.

Both teams featured tall timber at both ends but showing greater structural efficiency and finishing, it was the Men who controlled the opening stanza to lead 14-8 at the first break.

The Mixed team introduced Grace Namana at goal attack, Deepak Patu at centre and Kyle Owen at goalkeeper on the resumption which had immediate effect.

With Patu delivering pinpoint feeds into the towering 2.12m target of shooter Quintin Gerber, Maddy Gordon revelling in the physical nature of game from wing attack and captain Erena Mikaere provided her aerial expertise from goal defence, the Invitational team cut the margin to three.

Both teams were a little guilty of trying to force the ball into their respective circles and with the Mixed team unable to sustain their early momentum, the Men responded through the skills of their aerial game.

Wetere hauled in five intercepts during the first half while shooter Jay Geldard was a steadying presence under the hoop as the Men regained their hold on the game when extending to a 28-18 lead at the main break.

A low-scoring third quarter, which the Men won 8-7, did not detract from the continued fast-paced and entertaining nature of the occasion as the Mixed team continued to keep the Men honest.

Wing attack Joshua Eriata Vercoe and centre Nick Grimmer provided a well-drilled unit through the midcourt and on attack for the Men while evergreen defender Leana de Bruin officially took the honour as oldest player on court, the 44-year-old showing she’d lost none of her touch with two quick intercepts.

Owen continued to leave his mark at the defensive end for the Mixed team while former Australian Diamond Laura Scherian was a reliable option at wing attack. But the more structured and clinical delivery both on defence and attack meant the Men kept their opposites at arm’s length while forging a 36-25 lead at the last turn.
 
OFFICIAL RESULT AND STATS:

New Zealand Men: 47
Mixed Invitational: 39

Official Champion Data Statistics

Shooting Stats - New Zealand Men:
Jay Geldard 23/28 (82%)
Dan Jefferies 9/10 (90%)
Cam Powell 9/11 (82%)
Ben Smith 6/11 (55%)

Shooting Stats - Mixed Invitational:
Quintin Gerber 28/34 (82%)
Grace Namana 5/6 (83%)
Amosa Faitaua-Nanai 4/4 (100%)
Georgia Heffernan 2/6 (33%)

MVP: Matt Wetere (NZ Men)

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