Netball: Series win has Aitken feeling sense of well-being

By JULIE ASH

Less than four weeks from the world championships, Silver Fern coach Ruth Aitken is confident her team are in a "healthy situation."

The Silver Ferns wrapped up the series against England on Friday night with a 48-41 win.

Although the Silver Ferns captured the series 3-0, the fact England closed the gap from 24 goals in the first test to 20 in the second, and to just seven in the last, must be of some concern to Aitken and her team.

"We tried different things. If I had been looking solely at the score as a measure I may have done different things," Aitken said.

"But this was a wonderful opportunity to get players out there, and I was pleased to see them in this environment.

"I think we made steps along the way and for us it was just preparing for what is ahead."

Aitken used the series to trial combinations, but the last test especially showed a lot of work is needed to transform some of them into slick units capable of toppling Australia and Jamaica.

"It takes time to get those links going," Aitken said.

"But I think we are in a healthy situation because we know we still have things to work on and we know we have got to learn more.

"A team which wants to learn and develop is a very healthy team."

And there were many positives to take from the series.

"It showed we could absorb the pressure and come through," she said.

"It showed we were able to have a different style of goal shooter from Irene van Dyk's style. We were able to bring Tania [Dalton] on in the second test in that goalshoot role and change the game completely, which was a real strength.

"We have a strong midcourt that would be the envy of most of the world and defensively we have that great pairing in Vilimaina Davu and Sheryl Clarke.

"We also have young Anna Scarlett putting her hand up and Leana du Plooy, who is solid as well.

"We are well balanced and prepared to work hard."

While England did give New Zealand some competition, especially with their tall, rangy defenders, one wonders if a series against Australia is really needed to gauge just where the Ferns are at.

"We would have loved to play them, but it just didn't happen," Aitken said.

"We want to play them in the one that counts. We have seen videos of them, we know they are very settled. By the time the first round has been played at the world champs, everyone will know everything about everyone else."

The Silver Ferns have the 10 days off before regrouping at North Shore's Millennium Institute for a five-day camp.

They will then head to Miami for another five days before relocating to Jamaica.

The team would continue to work on combinations and their link play, Aitken said.

"It sometimes takes a little longer to get those links ingrained. I think we have scratched the surface, but we still have a long way to go."

Since Aitken took over as the national coach in December 2001, the Silver Ferns have won 20 tests and lost just two.

And she would dearly love to keep that number of losses the way it is.

"There is a great feeling around the side. There is no 'me' around the team," she said.

"It is very exciting. It is an outstanding group and I know they will just build each time they are together."