Netball: Silver Ferns complete 3-0 whitewash over Australia

9.45pm

A strong second half carried the Silver Ferns to a 53-46 win over Australia in Hamilton tonight and a 3-0 sweep in the series.

However, coach Ruth Aitken had to call top shooter Irene van Dyk and defender Vilimainu Davu off the bench, after a poor second quarter had the home side trailing 21-27 at half time.

Both teams made two changes to their starting line-ups, with Aitken giving a first appearance in the series to goal shoot Jodi Te Huna and goalkeep Anna Scarlett and choosing to leave van Dyk and Davu on the bench.

Aitken retained her midcourt of wing attack Adine Harper, centre Anna Rowberry and wing defence Victoria Edward.

Opposition coach Norma Plummer recalled Natasha Chokljat to centre and started Alison Broadbent at goal defence.

Te Huna, who was paired Canterbury Flame team-mate Belinda Colling in the shooting circle, made an uncertain start, missing her first two shots before finding her rhythm.

A couple of Australian turnovers allowed the Silver Ferns to establish a small break early in the quarter and they maintained the advantage to lead 15-12 at the first break.

However, the home side fell away in the second quarter, struggling to get the ball through the court.

They also had to contend with solid Australian defence from wing defence Peta Scholz, Broadbent and skipper Liz Ellis at goal keep.

The Australians, getting an improved shooting display from goal shoot Cynna Neele and goal attack Sharelle McMahon, scored six goals without replay to hit the front during the period.

There was worse for the New Zealand camp just before halftime with Rowberry landing awkwardly when taking a pass and suffering a knee injury.

She left the the court to be replaced by Temepara Clark.

With Australia having won the quarter 15-6, Aitken cleared the rest of her bench.

Apart from Van Dyk and Davu, Lesley Nicol came on at wing defence and Joline Henry at goal attack for her first cap.

Plummer swapped Neele and McMahon in the shooting circle, allowing McMahon and Davu to resume their intense personal duel.

She also brought on the long-limbed Demelza Fellowes for Broadbent to mark van Dyk.

The New Zealand changes had immediate effect with van Dyk helping the home side to rattle up five goals in a row to trail by just one.

However, the Australians held on to take a three-goal lead into the final quarter, for which Aitken recalled starting goal defence Sheryl Scanlan for Henry.

In an intense final quarter, with Australia giving up turnovers and the New Zealand feeders able to find van Dyk regularly, the Silver Ferns finally edged away, winning the stanza 17-8.

- NZPA