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Phil Walter / Getty Images
Maia Wilson was in good shooting form for the Silver Ferns in the first Test against England.
The Silver Ferns celebrated their return to the international scene with a 1-0 lead in the Taini Jamison Trophy series after beating the England Roses in Hamilton on Wednesday night.
The start of the three-round series at the Claudelands Arena marked the return of international netball after the Covid-19 pandemic and was the first round in nine months that Silver Ferns won 58-45 against an English team with less force.
Goal attack Ameliaranne Ekenasio captained the Silver Ferns in a test for the first time and shot 24 of 26 attempts, but was dwarfed by goal scorer Maia Wilson, who finished with 34 goals in 39 attempts.
It was New Zealand’s first test in Hamilton as world champions and is a happy hunting ground for the Silver Ferns, who have not lost in the city since 1998, with their victory wrapped in a rather comfortable way.
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The Silver Ferns extended their winning streak at Hamilton to 10 rounds and should remain uninterrupted in Friday and Sunday testing after strong displays from winger Gina Crampton, Jane Watson on defense and goalkeeper Sulu Fitzpatrick.
England captain Serena Guthrie was one of the best of the visiting team with a graceful display in the middle of the court and the Roses should improve after this outing, their first competitive netball event in months.
Silver Ferns has benefited from a full, albeit disruptive, national season. The England Super League has been suspended since March and several of its main stars did not travel to New Zealand due to commitments abroad.
The England team only left their quarantine in Christchurch last week, while the Silver Ferns warmed up by winning the Cadbury Series against New Zealand men.
England’s second attack spawned New Zealand’s first scoring streak after giving up possession and the first quarter went all the way to the hosts from there.
In the blink of an eye, the Silver Ferns were leading 13-5 after 10 minutes and the Roses were on the defensive, showing a lot of fighting spirit, but signs of rust, given their difficult preparations, were evident.
However, a late bloom in the first quarter kept England in the game, the score then 15-10, and the Silver Ferns, if they needed to be reminded, knew their tired visitors were ready.
England went blow for blow with the Silver Ferns early in the second quarter and, frustratingly, the lead was no more than five or six goals until the hosts pounced on a loose pass as the break approached.
It was a costly mistake for England as the Silver Ferns went ahead, jumping to a practical 11-point lead, although New Zealand’s own mistakes allowed the Roses to regain three goals before the break.
Wilson and Ekenasio maintained their aim in the third quarter, at more than 90 percent, and the lead improved by three goals before the fourth.
England struggled away, but New Zealand finished strong and had time to hand striker Monica Falkner her Silver Ferns test debut in the final minutes.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Eleanor Cardwell of England aiming for a goal in Hamilton.
TAKE A LOOK:
Silver ferns 58 (Maia Wilson 34/39, Ameliaranne Ekenasio 24/26) England 45 (George Fisher 18/22, Eleanor Cardwell 15/17, Kadeen Corbin 7/9, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis 5/5). Quarterly scores: 1T: 15-10, HT: 32-24, 3Q: 46-35.
