Fast Five Netball World series at the Vector Arena. Fast Five Ferns Laura Langman in play against South Africa. 09th November 2014 NZH photo by Chris Loufte.
Fast Five Netball World series at the Vector Arena. Fast Five Ferns Laura Langman in play against South Africa. 09th November 2014 NZH photo by Chris Loufte.
The Fast Ferns will meet the Australian Flyers in tonight's grand final as they chase a Fast5 World Series three-peat in Auckland.
The Ferns completed an unbeaten run through pool play this afternoon with a 35-10 hammering of an overly physical Jamaican side - recording their biggest win of thetournament. Earlier in the day the Ferns beat South Africa 34-25.
With no semifinals this year after the tournament was condensed from three days into two, any lapses in pool play could have proven costly for the Ferns. Had they dropped their final game against the Sunshine Girls (although surly would have been a more apt name for them) it would have created a three-way tie at the top of the competition standings between New Zealand, Australia and Jamaica and the grand finalists would have been decided by goal countback.
But a brilliant defensive game from the Ferns, who kept the Jamaicans scoreless from mid-way through the second quarter to early in the fourth spell, ensured a convincing win for the home side. Auckland defender Temalisi Fakahokotau was particularly strong for the Ferns, impressing the crowd with her aerial ability and theatrics.
The Ferns are highly motivated to retain their world crown in tonight's final, with this weekend's tournament doubling as legendary shooter Irene van Dyk's farewell to international netball. While a back injury has kept van Dyk off the court this weekend, she has been very much a presence at the tournament with the crowd cheering loudly every time the star shooter enters the arena. A special tribute is planned for van Dyk following the final.
Jamaica will face England in the play-off for third and fourth - a match that is likely to have plenty of feeling in it after an ugly incident in their pool play match. England lost midcourter Serena Guthrie to a rib injury after a heavy and late challenge with Stacian Facey, who was also guilty of some cynical defensive work in the Ferns game. South Africa will meet Malawi in the fifth-sixth playoff.
