By RICHARD BOOCK
England were marginally less hapless last night, but were still comprehensively outgunned by New Zealand in the second test at Palmerston North.
Beaten by a record 48-goal margin in Invercargill, the tourists actually managed to share the first period 12-12 before falling to pieces through the next three
quarters and slumping to a 29-65 loss.
As in the opening test, England struggled for any consistency against New Zealand's transition and circle defence, losing the second quarter 7-20, the third 6-18 and the final period 4-15.
The only area in which they seemed to have made much progress was at their defensive end, where 16-year-old rookie goal-keep Geva Mentor proved something of a revelation, and gave the Silver Ferns' attack end plenty to think about - particularly in the opening quarter.
Mentor, who was left on the bench at Stadium Southland, not only made several tips and intercepts, but also showed impressive composure to cope with the threat of Silver Ferns goal-shoot Irene van Dyk, who was subbed off at the three-quarter mark.
After the turkey shoot at Invercargill, New Zealand coach Yvonne Willering opted to start Belinda Colling at goal-attack last night, and by the time the final whistle had blown, had also found court-time for back-up goal-keep Vilimaina Davu and debutante Victoria Edward.
Despite the margin of the win, the Colling-van Dyk combination was not a complete success.
Colling looked to off-load much of her possession through the first half, before being replaced by Southland star Donna Loffhagen at halftime.
Willering continued to ring the changes, resting van Dyk and bringing Colling back into the game at goal-attack, with Loffhagen switching to goal-shoot.
She also brought Edward on for Lesley Nicol and gave Davu a run at goal-keep at the expense of Linda Vagana.
The attack end was the most interesting aspect as far as New Zealand fans were concerned, however, and it appeared that van Dyk and Loffhagen again found a more cohesive understanding, and showed some sparkling touches through the third quarter.
Van Dyk shot 33 from 40, Colling 14 from 17 and Loffhagen 18 from 21.
England coach Julie Hoornweg said: "We know we can play this game and we came out firing, but the consistency is just not there."
The final test will be played at Hamilton on Saturday night.
