Silver Ferns open Oceania Netball Series with Big Win
The Silver Ferns opened the inaugural Oceania Netball Series with a decisive 81-28 win over the Fiji Pearls in sweltering conditions at the Vodafone Arena in Suva on Monday.
Coming off an intensive training camp in their build towards this year’s Netball World Cup, the Silver Ferns showed impressive early season form with a consistent and well-constructed outing against the Pearls in the series opener which also includes Samoa.
Playing in Fiji for the first time, the Silver Ferns played two different attacking line-ups through the match as they welcomed back goal attack Maria Tutaia from a long injury lay-off while shooter Ellen Halpenny and midcourters Camilla Lees and Shannon Francois enjoyed successful recalls to the team.
Looking at her options with the bigger picture in mind and making the most of the opportunity, Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu was provided plenty of encouragement as well as food for thought from the variety of attacking combinations she had on show.
With Halpenny, Jodi Brown, Lees and tour captain Laura Langman forming the first half attacking quartet, the Silver Ferns were quickly into their rhythm, showing a slick transition from defence to attack.
The shooting duo of Halpenny and Brown provided great variety and accuracy under the hoop in a seamless combination. In her 113th test, centre Langman was her usual industrious self at both ends of the court while Leana de Bruin was an efficient spoiler against the game’s tallest player Taraima Mitchell, the 1.93m goalshooter made to work hard by the veteran defender.
Opening up an 18-8 lead at the first break, the Silver Ferns faced more resistance on the resumption, resolve and patience paying off for the Pearls who are coached by New Zealander Kate Carpenter.
The resolute play of goal attack Maria Lutua and captain Mere Neiliko, goal defence, helped Fiji hold their own before the Silver Ferns picked up the pace with a strong reply to end the half with a 36-19 lead.
The Silver Ferns attack line underwent a complete transformation in the second half with Bailey Mes and Tutaia picking up the shooting duties, Francois going into centre, Grace Rasmussen to wing attack and Langman to wing defence.
Tutaia’s silky skills were quickly to the fore as she slipped effortlessly back into the groove while Mes’ athleticism and Rasmussen’s speed propelled the Silver Ferns to a dominant third quarter. The visitors put their foot down on the back of consistently slick play and accurate finishing as they took complete control.
Fiji had few answers to the constant pressure they faced, restricted to just four goals during the quarter as the Silver Ferns powered to a 58-23 lead at three-quarter time.
With the Silver Ferns retaining the same line-up for the run home, there was little respite for the Pearls, more errors creeping into their play as they struggled under the constant pressure.
There was no let-up from either end of the court, Langman back in the wing defence role where her career first started, picking off a clutch of turnover ball while at the other end, the combination of Mes, Tutaia, Rasmussen and Francois provided some real flair in a powerful second half statement.
The Silver Ferns play their second match against Samoa in Suva tomorrow (Tuesday).
Fiji Pearls Shooting Stats
Mitchell 18/25 = 72%
Lutua 10/18 = 56%
Silver Ferns Shooting Stats
Halpenny 23/25 = 92%
Brown 13/15 = 87%
Mes - 25/36 = 69%
Tutaia – 20/25 = 80%