Netball: Nicol top equal after emphatic victory

10.30pm - By JULIE ASH

England had no answer to the Silver Ferns in Wellington tonight, losing the second test 55-35 and the series.

The Silver Ferns got off to a flying start and, although the English defence caused some early problems, the home team powered away in the second quarter to set up a comfortable win.

The night was special for veteran defender Lesley Nicol, who played her 94th game for New Zealand, which equals Sandra Edge's record for the most test caps.

Her achievement was in front of an almost capacity crowd including the Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright, Prime Minister Helen Clark, All Black coaches John Mitchell and Robbie Deans, and England coach Clive Woodward,

The Silver Ferns got off to a flying start thanks to a Nicol intercept and soon found themselves 4-1 up.

But England soon settled into their game and their tall, rangy defence provided some early problems for the Silver Fern attack.



The Silver Ferns led 15-9 at the first break and the floodgates opened in the second quarter.

Their defence pounced on every ball and, more often than not, such possession was converted into points at the other end.

The Silver Ferns extended their lead to 10 early in the second quarter. England shooters Alex Astle and Australian-born Abby Teare had no trouble netting the ball when they got it - the problem was they did not get it enough.

Once again New Zealand goal keep Vilimaina Davu put in a strong performance, despite Astle's height advantage.

With a 28-17 lead at halftime, coach Ruth Aitken made several changes in the second half.

Goal shoot Irene van Dyk, who landed 20 shots from as many attempts, was replaced by Tania Dalton, and Anna Rowberry came on at wing attack, replacing Adine Harper.

Dalton slotted into the game superbly, combining well with goal attack Belinda Colling, who once again controlled the Ferns attack.

Dalton's mobility in the circle added a new dimension to the Silver Ferns game.

With the world championships in Jamaica less than a month away, Aitken wanted to use the series to test and strengthen a variety of combinations.

New Zealand led 45-24 at three-quarter time.

Rowberry said England were a lot more physical.

"They came out a lot tougher tonight than in the first test. On attack we had to throw the ball around a lot more."

Aitken was satisfied with her team's performance, but said she was disappointed with the last quarter, which New Zealand lost 11-10.

The third and final test is at the North Shore Events Centre tomorrow, starting at 7.45pm.