Silver Ferns player Bailey Mes with the ball against Jamaica at the Energy Events Centre tonight. Photo/Ben Fraser
Silver Ferns player Bailey Mes with the ball against Jamaica at the Energy Events Centre tonight. Photo/Ben Fraser
The Silver Ferns have beaten Jamaica with an impressive performance in Rotorua to complete a series trouncing.
New Zealand beat the visiting Sunshine Girls 66-38 tonight, at the Rotorua Events Centre, taking home the 2016 Taini Jamison Trophy with a 3-0 series win.
The coveted silverware had already been secured, after the Ferns' wins in Palmerston North (61-38 on Wednesday) and Nelson (72-34 last Sunday) but Jamaica put on a spirited display intent on redeeming themselves.
And it was the visitors who held a slender lead for most of the first quarter, which ended with the scores tied at 13 all.
Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby said her side made too many errors in the first quarter, especially in the attacking third, but was happy with the team's performance for the rest of the match.
"I was really proud about how they took that on and in the third and fourth quarter I though we were pretty consistent with the goals ticking over and we got a lot of ball on defence."
In the second quarter, the Ferns found their rhythm, with stand out performances from the midcourt trio of Laura Langman (at wing defence), Shannon Francois (centre), and Grace Rasmussen (wing attack).
Pressure on defence and patience in attack helped them go into half-time with a 35-20 lead with the Silver Ferns' Bailey Mes (at goal shooter) lethal with her shooting.
The home side weren't as dominant in the third quarter, but they still extended their lead to 50-28.
The crowd get into it at the match. Photo/Ben Fraser
And cheered on by jubilant and noisy Rotorua fans the Silver Ferns cruised through the final quarter in impressive fashion.
After the final whistle blew local New Zealand netball icon Taini Jamison, 88, presented the trophy to the Silver Ferns, much to the delight of the ecstatic home support.
The prestigious silverware, which was introduced in 2008, is contested when any net balling nation - other than Australia - plays the Silver Ferns on New Zealand soil.
"What a fantastic occasion," said Jamison.
"I was born and bred right here in Rotorua so it is very fitting that it all finished up here."
The Ferns now have three weeks before the Constellation Cup against Australia starts on October 9 in Sydney.
