KEY POINTS:
When the 1985 Katrina and the Waves classic Walking on Sunshine started up before last night's test, the Jamaicans started swaying to the music and the smiles returned.
The sun had been shining since their arrival in Auckland, it was a couple of degrees warmer than Christchurch and
things pointed to a better performance than the 44-point record hammering that Jamaican coach Connie Francis had described as the most pathetic display in her 20 years with the Sunshine Girls.
In truth, however, it was the Silver Ferns who were walking on sunshine last night as they comfortably wrapped up the two-test series.
Although they were never likely to be as dominant as they were in Christchurch, coach Ruth Aitken might have been a tad concerned they were unable to build a more commanding lead. They led 18-9 after the first quarter and threatened to run away with it but it never really eventuated.
The improved form of Jamaican shooting sensation Romelda Aiken had a fair bit to do with this, landing 37 from 43 attempts after replacing captain Elaine Davis midway through the first quarter.
Davis landed heavily and didn't recover from her injury. At least Aiken, who had been so impressive against Australia recently, recovered from the dreadfully nervy start she had in Christchurch on Thursday.
Overall, the Silver Ferns were simply faster, more skilful and more fluent feeding the ball into the shooters than the Jamaicans. They also pressed their opponents into mistakes from one end of the court to the other, but it wasn't a night for the faint-hearted as bodies went flying in all directions.
After a couple of relatively clear days against the Sunshine Girls, the forecast for the Silver Ferns is tough to predict this week.
They could run into a cold front in the form of a confident Australian side, who are already claiming they have the psychological edge heading into November's world championship after winning four of the last five matches between the two countries.
The Aussies were in attendance last night, ahead of Wednesday night's first test at the Vector Arena, but it's difficult to believe they would have picked up much from last night's game.
Aitken would have learned more about her own side from this series. It was important they registered a couple of commanding wins after wobbling against both England and Australia earlier in the year.
Irene Van Dyk appears to have worked on her game, as she had promised, with more movement and guile around the top of the circle and her shooting stats were back to the sort of level we have come to expect over the years. Last night she shot an impressive 49 from 51 attempts.
The real test, of course, will come against Australia, and the tough Liz Ellis in particular, but Van Dyk has gone some way to silencing the doubters.
She will undoubtedly start against Australia but Aitken has a decision to make between Maria Tutaia and Jodie Te Huna at goal attack.
Last night Tutaia replaced Te Huna in the starting lineup, one of two changes to the starting side from Christchurch. Tutaia has a pure shot when it's on and registered 12 from 18 attempts, but there is little between her and Te Huna, who came on at halftime and shot five from eight.
It's a similar story at the other end of the court. Goal keep Casey Williams has well and truly proved there is life after Vilimaina Davu and Aiken can call on Joline Henry or Leana De Bruin depending on whether she wants more height (De Bruin) or more speed and anticipation (Henry).
Laura Langman looks to have slotted well into the centre position left vacant by the tempestuous Temepara George.
Langman is all energy in the midcourt and is developing as a Silver Ferns captain in the making.
Aitken rang the changes throughout, including trying out the Julie Seymour and Langman combination again at wing defence and centre respectively, while Maree Bowden and Paula Griffin were handed their debuts late in the game.
Aitken clearly has her eyes on Australia given they are the last internationals before the world champs.
She will hope there are more sunny days ahead.
