Silver Ferns secure Taini Jamison Trophy with back-to-back wins

On the back of a storming second half, the Silver Ferns claimed a decisive 75-35 win over Jamaica to claim the Taini Jamison Trophy and a 2-0 sweep of the Cadbury Netball Series in Auckland on Thursday.

Following hot on the heels of a 25-goal win the night before, the Silver Ferns dominated the possession stakes, the volume of shots and accuracy being a highlight from all of New Zealand’s shooting options. Just three of the Silver Ferns shots missed their target during the entire 60 minutes.

Powering home in the second half, the Silver Ferns also did the job defensively, restricting the young and tiring Sunshine Girls to limited opportunities which paid a price on the scoreboard.

With the objective of continuing to build budding combinations, Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua resisted too much tinkering when opting for just the one change to the starting seven from the opening Test.

On that note, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan got the nod at wing attack while Phoenix Karaka was retained at wing defence following a fine effort in a relatively unfamiliar position 24 hours earlier alongside Elle Temu and Kelly Jury in an unchanged defensive line.

After some positional changes during the first Test, the inexperienced Jamaica went with their finishing line-up of the opener which included midcourter Adean Thomas slotting in at centre and rangy defender Mischa Creary in as the last line of defence at goalkeeper.

The Silver Ferns improved on the slow start of the previous night, getting out of the blocks smoothly and efficiently with the long-range feed from Whitney Souness and Reuelu-Buchanan hitting the spot expertly as young shooter Grace Nweke mirrored her impressive form of 24 hours earlier.

Jamaica goal attack Gezelle Allison proved a perfect foil with her pin-point off-loads to key shooter Shimona Nelson as the visitors made a good fist of staying in the contest.

The Silver Ferns defensive squeeze eventually took its toll with the Sunshine Girls forced into error, a quick burst of unanswered goals pushing the home side out to a 20-11 lead at the first break.

Midcourters Thomas and Abigale Sutherland swapped positions on the resumption with Jamaica looking for more accuracy on attack. Hanging on grimly, Jamaica had some impressive passages but lacked the consistency of the Silver Ferns.

Back in the international arena after an 18-month absence due to the birth of her second child, Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio stepped up her shooting range and volume, her trademark long-range shot in full evidence.

Souness was full of running, showcasing her speed and deft touches on attack while also proving good nuisance value on defence.

Nelson was again a rock under the Jamaica hoop through her movement, athleticism and accuracy but in a defensive change involving Karaka moving to goal defence and Kayla Johnson into wing defence, Jamaica were unable to halt the Silver Ferns momentum as the home side headed into the main break with a 36-22 lead.

Adding more spark and energy, the Silver Ferns delivered their most productive 15 minutes during the third stanza to pile on 20 goals while restricting Jamaica to just six.

With Maia Wilson taking over from Nweke, the Silver Ferns adopted a shorter attacking game. On the back of a mobile shooting circle, the Silver Ferns were provided multiple options with Wilson and Ekenasio’s positioning, timing and finishing being top-class.

The Silver Ferns defence line was also busy with Karaka impressing with three aerial steals while helping the home side bolt out to a 56-28 lead at three-quarter time.

The Silver Ferns had the luxury of emptying the bench in the run home with Te Paea Selby-Rickit (goal attack), Maddy Gordon (centre) and Sulu Fitzpatrick (goalkeeper) anchoring a forceful run home.