Live Updates: Silver Ferns v New Zealand Men

All the action from the clash between Silver Ferns and the New Zealand men’s team.

Yesterday, in their first match since January, Silver Ferns defeated New Zealand A 59-44.

But the game, dubbed the probable versus the possible, was far from one-sided, despite what the scoreboard suggests.

How it happened: Silver Ferns beat New Zealand A in netball comeback

Widely billed as a Silver Ferns test ahead of next week’s Taini Jamison Trophy series against England, the NZA players, specifically, were eager to make a statement.

The game was goal-for-goal in the first quarter, and the Ferns barely managed to steal a one-goal lead in the final minute.

Mystics shooter Grace Nweke was sent into her first game for the Silver Ferns, playing alongside captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio. The 18-year-old settled under the basket scoring 22 of 28 attempts, despite stiff defensive efforts from Erena Mikaere and Kate Burley.

The game turned in the direction of the Ferns towards halftime and into the third quarter as head coach Dame Noeline Taurua and NZA coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek pushed their way through players with regular rotation from the bench.

NZA briefly took control before a series of missed shots and turnovers cost them a chance to close the gap. As a result, the Ferns took a comfortable nine-goal lead in the fourth quarter, where fitness levels seemed critical.

Taurua mentioned before the game how the Ferns had produced their best aerobic results in 10 years and even after a domestic season playing 12-minute quarterfinals, they had no trouble holding the pressure for 15-minute stints, ultimately securing them victory. .

Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio praised NZA’s level of intensity.

“We have all been training together most of the time, so we all know what has been going on and at times it seemed like we were on the training court,” he said.

“We’ve brought each and every person with us and you can see that the skill levels have definitely improved, so it’s a win-win for netball.

“Noeline is doing an incredible job and we are just holding on and continuing to move forward and lift where we can.

Previously, the New Zealand men picked up where they left off from last year’s series with a dominant 73-44 victory over New Zealand’s Under-21s.

NZ Men’s captain Kruze Tangira, who made 34 circle shots and 22 assists on goal, said it was a physically difficult match.

“The girls were fantastic, very talented, and as we said in our group, the future looks bright for Netball New Zealand,” she told Sky Sport after the match.

“The exposure the male basketball players get from this Cadbury Series is fantastic and for the growth of men’s basketball in New Zealand.”