Silver Ferns cruise to one-sided win in series opener

Cheree Kinnear

The Silver Ferns opened the Taini Jamison Trophy Series with a strong performance to claim victory over the Malawi Queens.

Unlike their performance during the Northern Netball Quad Series this year, the Silver Ferns played with feisty defence and accurate attack which Malawi struggled to match.

The scoreboard reflected a different game than when Malawi lost to the Ferns 57-49 at the 2015 World Cup.

Silver Ferns shooter Te Paea SelbyRickit’s fast feet, tactical screens and accurate shooting helped the Ferns to a 12-point first-quarter lead.

And with the assistance of loud captain Katrina Grant, SokolichBeatson played her first quarter as a Fern in goal defence.

Last night’s much needed victory was claimed despite the absence of defenders Kayla Cullen and Temalisi Fakahokotau, who were both ruled out with injury.

Fakahokotau sprained her ankle while training this week, but Silver Ferns management confirmed she should be back on court during this series.

Shooter Maia Wilson and midcourter Claire Kersten were added to the Silver Ferns squad late last week as injury cover.

The Silver Ferns will face Jamaica, who beat Fiji 83-38, tonight for their second match of the series.

The four-team round robin competition will continue for the next three nights at the North Shore Events Centre, with the final at 4pm on Saturday.

The Taini Jamison Trophy, which was introduced in 2008, is being contested by the Silver Ferns, the Jamaica Sunshine Girls, the Malawi Queens and Fiji.

The series will end just 12 days before New Zealand’s opening Commonwealth Games match against Uganda on the Gold Coast. Silver Ferns 75 (Selby-Rickit 36/44, Folau 15/17, Ekenasio 12/15, Mes 12/18). Malawi 42 (Kumwenda 36/44, Chimaliro 3/4, Simtowe 3/5).