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The Silver Ferns needed a strong third quarter to clinch the Taini Jamison Trophy Series after battling to win 54-47 against the England Roses in Hamilton on Friday night.
New Zealand’s undefeated streak at Hamilton, dating back to 1998, was in trouble at halftime because the Roses were up front and shooting, on the cusp of an unexpected victory, and the Silver Ferns were struggling.
However, the Silver Ferns took the lead in the third quarter, winning emphatically 16-8, and bringing Claire Kersten to center seemed to shake up the world champions, who were beginning to find more room and maneuver the ball better.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
New Zealander Claire Kersten made a big difference at center in the third quarter.
Goalkeeper Maia Wilson was in shape when it mattered, shooting 38 goals on 41 attempts, and Captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio added 16 goals as the Silver Ferns won the series with a test to spare against a depleted Claudelands Arena.
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The Silver Ferns won the first test on Wednesday 58-45, marking the return of international netball after a nine-month absence due to Covid-19, but coach Noeline Taurua demanded a much better performance.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Maia Wilson was back in excellent shooting form for the Silver Ferns.
With that in mind, Taurua would have been frustrated with her team’s first two quarters, but satisfied with her finish that did the job, albeit after an unconvincing start, and goalkeeper Sulu Fitzpatrick was solid again.
Laura Malcolm was a live wire in midfield for England and introducing George Fisher in the second quarter was an abrupt move due to his accuracy as a goal shooter, but losing her co-captain Serena Guthrie in her 100th test from an ankle injury in the third quarter it was a painful blow.
The first test showed that England were ready for battle despite losing several key players due to commitments in Australia and there will be plenty to fight for in Sunday’s third test, although it is a dead rubber in the same place.
Both sides are gearing up for the sport’s next peak event, the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, when England will be defending champions at home and the Roses will certainly be in the picture, even if they weakened a bit in the third and fourth. trimester.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Serena Guthrie played her 100th Test for England in Test 2 against the Ferns, but left with an ankle injury.
Silver Ferns coaches wanted a better start but didn’t get it.
England jumped to an early two-goal lead before a similar pattern emerged from Test 1, both sides hitting blow for blow, and there were plenty of unforced errors from the Silver Ferns, while the Roses seemed to have more control.
New Zealand didn’t lead until the 10th minute, prompting a loud roar from the home crowd in an otherwise quiet first quarter, and seemed to energize the hosts, who began forcing England to make more mistakes and suddenly the Silver Ferns were three goals ahead.
However, England’s strong start had certainly given the Roses confidence, and two decisive scoring streaks erased New Zealand’s lead in a second quarter that turned in their favor, winning 13-9 to lead 25-23 in the break.
Everything Taurua said during the interval clearly worked because the Silver Ferns found their rhythm and finished strong to win their 11th consecutive Test at Hamilton.
In a year in which Covid-19 has brought the sport to the brink, financially, a clean sweep in three tests against a dangerous team from England, with sold out crowds, would be a more than satisfactory conclusion.
TAKE A LOOK:
Silver ferns 54 (Maia Wilson 38/41, Ameliaranne Ekenasio 16/18) England 47 (Eleanor Caldwell 18/20, George Fisher 17/17, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis 15/12, Kadeen Corbin 0/1) Quarterly scores: 1Q: 14-12, HT: 23-25, 3Q: 39-33.
