Netball: Silver Ferns battle past Trinidad and Tobago

Kayla Cullen of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

The Silver Ferns feel they've got a much better handle on the Caribbean style of play after battling past Trinidad and Tobago in their second round of pool play.

Trinidad and Tobago proved a much tougher and more rugged opposition than the Ferns met in their opening round clash against Barbados last night. The Ferns' composure and discipline was tested at times by some unsubtle defensive challenges by the spirited Caribbean side.

After struggling to adjust to Trinidad's aerial style and timing on the ball in the opening half, the Ferns looked much more comfortable over the second 30 minutes, turning a 12-goal halftime lead into a 74-38 win.

Ferns' midcourter Kayla Cullen, who along with Shannon Francois were the only players to play a full match, said it took a while to figure out how to combat the timing of their opponents.

"It was a bit of a patchy game, we started off quite slow and it seemed to take a while for us to click. But as the game progressed we kind of figured it out and were able to get a better flow on," said Cullen, who was nursing a cut to her hand after grazing the digital courtside advertising.

"It was quite an unorthodox style and a style we're not used to, but we kind of got used to their timing and their speed that the pass at as the match progressed."

New Zealand coach Waimarama Taumaunu believed her side's opening two games against the two Caribbean nations were strong preparation for a likely meeting with world no. 4 Jamaica at some point next week. But at the forefront of the Ferns' minds now will be tomorrow's meeting with Australia, which is set to provide the first proper measure of where New Zealand's title hopes sit.

Australia opened their World Cup campaign with a 73-32 win over Trinidad and Tobago, before demolishing Barbados 83-16 today.

Just as they were against Australia last night, Trinidad and Tobago were aggressive from the outset, challenging New Zealand in the air. The Ferns did not adjust well to the early intensity, making a string of early turnovers as Trinidad frustrated them into errors.
The Ferns led by just two goals late in the first period, but were able to stretch the lead out to four goals by the first break after a late turnover to Casey Kopua.

Stronger defensive structures in the second period saw the Ferns extend their lead to out to a more comfortable level by mid-way through the quarter, but their attack end still did not seem entirely settled.

But second-half Ferns line-up, which saw changes to each area of the court, made a much better fist of it, with the introduction of Laura Langman at centre and Maria Tutaia adding a bit of spark to the New Zealand attack.

After a shaky World Cup debut yesterday, Malia Paseka rebounded strongly today, looking a lot more comfortable on goal. New Zealand coach Waimarama Taumaunu was much happier with her side's shooting effort today following a 76 per cent return in their 73-28 win over Barbados yesterday.

Three of the four shooters shot above 80 per cent, with Paseka a shade under at 78 per cent.

In other action on day two, Uganda, who are featuring in their first World Cup in 36 years, all but secured their place in the top eight with a shock 60-41 win over Fiji. It was a dominant day for the African nations with Malawi cracking the century mark in their 101-18 win over Sri Lanka, while Norma Plummer's South African side toppled Singapore, led by former New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken, 69-21.

But the big match of the day was the clash between England and Jamaica, ranked no. 3 and 4 in the world respectively.

England coach Tracey Neville showed incredible courage to be back leading her side for their crucial clash after her father Neville passed away in a Sydney hospital overnight. Neville was clearly emotional in the pre-match, choking back tears during the minute's silence to honour her father before the match got underway.

The Roses made a poor start, trailing 28-23 at halftime, but a 16-9 third quarter but England back in front heading into the final turn. They maintained their lead throughout a brutal final quarter to take the points and the top spot in pool B.