Silver Ferns still looking rusty
The Silver Ferns have done enough to power past Wales with a 70-43 victory in their second match of the Commonwealth Games netball competition, but it was far from convincing.
It was yet another lacklustre performance from a Ferns side who went to the Gold Coast having won three of their previous 11 matches, wth a far from impressive 13-goal win over Uganda starting their campaign on Thursday.
The second quarter epitomised New Zealand’s troubles of late, all over the place defensively, getting outscored 13-9 by the 10th ranked side in the world.
Wales achieved their highest score against the Ferns and they should be happy with their efforts but they quickly faded in the second half.
After rushing out to a quick 10-1 run in the third quarter, the Ferns managed to steady the ship and were ultimately too strong for the Welsh.
Te Paea Selby-Rickit led the scoring for New Zealand with 28 goals, shooting 90 per cent from the field, while Kelly Jury put in typically strong performance in defence.
Next up is a tricky match against the Malawi Queens where anything but a win would be considered a failure.
A 6-2 beating of Canada has given the men’s Black Sticks a good start to their Commonwealth Games hockey campaign.
The world No 9-ranked team were well worth the win, scoring in the first quarter and then shortly before the end.
There were set piece goals from penalty corners scored by Kane Russell and Nic Woods.
In a productive third quarter New Zealand raced out to a 5-1 advantage with Stephen Jenness, George Muir and Dane Lett getting on the scoresheet before Otago striker Hugo Inglis finished things off near the final whistle.
Canada are ranked two places below New Zealand. They would have fancied their chances but on a warm afternoon were clear second best. They got goals from James Kirkpatrick and Gordon Hamilton.
New Zealand next faced world No 15 South Africa tomorrow, followed by No 23 Scotland on Tuesday before finishing their pool against world No 1 and hosts Australia on Wednesday.
Glasgow to the Gold Coast has been a hectic four-year ride for Phillipa Patterson, and with plans for a second baby, this may be her last Commonwealth Games.
Since finishing fifth in the same 53kg class in Glasgow, Patterson married weightlifting husband Richie, welcomed son Cooper (now 2), ran a gym on Auckland’s North Shore and trained for her second Commonwealth Games.
She deserves a medal just for surviving such a schedule.
While Patterson left the Carrara Sports & Leisure Centre stage yesterday without such a symbol of success around her neck, other than one failed snatch attempt she was satisfied with the 171kg total which placed her sixth in a field of 14.
“It’s where I expected to be. I was a little bit disappointed to miss one of my snatches but that’s how it goes,” Patterson said after her 76kg snatch and 95kg clean and jerk. “I lifted where I was at and you can’t ask for more.”
Richie, gold medallist from Glasgow, supported throughout Phillipa’s events; the pair embracing at the conclusion.
In his fourth Games, Richie steps up to the bar in the 85kg class today.
“We have very busy lives,” Phillipa said. “We own a business, look after Cooper and then try and get some training in.”
Patterson was a gymnast from the age of five to 14 before turning to cross fit and meeting Richie.
The 33-year-old’s competitive weightlifting future now appears uncertain. Asked about future plans, she said: “Maybe baby number two.”