Ferns hold nerve to edge England
The Silver Ferns have held off a strong challenge from the England Roses to win the Taini Jamison Trophy.
They came from four goals behind at halftime to win by seven, 62-55, at Claudelands Arena in Hamilton last night, and take the series 2-1.
But the closeness of the match – and their previous three against the same opponents – suggests they have plenty of work to do as they continue to build towards next year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, where the two teams will meet in pool play.
The Silver Ferns turned in a strong performance in the final quarter, which they took 18-12, keeping calm under pressure to seal an important win.
The team had talked before the match about needing to make a good start, and getting their connections going early, and while they did, England did too.
There was only one goal in it for most of the first quarter, as both teams began with quick and accurate play.
Leading the way for New Zealand early on was shooter Maria Tutaia, who notched 11 goals in the first quarter.
As the second quarter began, the Silver Ferns struggled to find their rhythm, especially in the attacking half of the court, with Tutaia’s long shots not dropping as they did in the first.
England goal shoot Jo Harten was in good form on her return to Hamilton, where she found herself up against former Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic teammate Kelly Jury, a battle she got the better of.
Seeking to reignite her team’s attack, Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby turned to another former Magic player, wing attack Grace Rasmussen, who came on in place of Gina Crampton, but couldn’t help affect an immediate turnaround, as England took a four-goal lead into the break, up 30-26 at the end of a quarter they won 17-9.
Jury made way for Temalisi Fakahokotau as the third quarter began, and a series of turnovers and accurate shooting helped the Silver Ferns pull within one.
They finally drew level, 39-39 with just under five minutes left in the spell.
On the back of an 18-13 effort in the third, the Silver Ferns took a one-goal lead into the final spell. There, the two teams went goal-for-goal until England’s Chelsea Pitman threw an errant pass, and the resulting turnover allowed the home team to open up a two-goal buffer, which became three moments later.
From there, the Silver Ferns were able to keep England at bay, and their margin grew to a slightly flattering seven at the final whistle.