Improved Ferns defy height disadvantage
The Silver Ferns have snapped their losing streak to the New Zealand men’s side to capture the Cadbury Series netball title.
They edged the men in a thrilling last quarter to win 55-52 in the final at Palmerston North last night.
The men had held the advantage over the Ferns, winning both Cadbury Series matches against the Ferns, last year, including the final. In Thursday’s clash between the sides, the men were comfortable 60-47 victors.
This was just the boost the Ferns were searching for ahead of next week’s three-test series against England in Hamilton, beginning on Wednesday.
The men were level with the Ferns at 49-all with five minutes to play, but the Ferns never cracked and closed out a tense contest.
Next week’s three-test series against England in Hamilton, beginning on Wednesday, has firmly been in Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua’s thinking this week.
The Silver Ferns started poorly against the men in their first game on Thursday, but began brightly in the final last night.
They finished the first quarter strongly with an 8-1 run allowing the Ferns to open up a 16-10 advantage – a sharp contrast to Thursday, where they trailed by seven goals (17-10).
Taurua went for a moving shooting circle of captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Te Paea Selby-Rickit to begin the game, with incumbent goalshoot Maia Wilson on the
bench. On attack, the Ferns looked more cohesive and midcourters Gina Crampton and Shannon Saunders were able to find their targets safely amid the height and long arms of the men’s defenders.
It was a full team defensive effort from the Ferns, who forced the men into some uncharacteristic early turnovers and limited the supply of ball into 2.14m goalshoot Junior Levi. He was only able to put up six goals in the first 15 minutes, converting every attempt.
The men’s side quickly hit back, opening the second quarter with a 7-3 burst to chip into the Ferns’ lead.
Men’s defenders Jake Schuster and Timmy Apisai attempted several defensive hoists to try and shut down a superb Maia Wilson, who entered the action in the second quarter.
Wing-defence Sam Winders, fighting for a midcourt berth and Ferns recall against England, was particularly impressive in the first half.
She had to go off late in the second quarter though with an ankle niggle.
The Ferns went into halftime with a 25-22 lead with the men hurt by 19 first-half turnovers.
With five minutes to go in the third quarter, the men had levelled the score, but the Ferns kept their composure, led by the outstanding Wilson.