Netball: Silver Ferns through to final

Maria Tutaia of New Zealand shoots for goal. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand 49
England 34

The Silver Ferns fought off a determined English outfit to run out 49-34 winners in their world championship semifinal against England in Singapore tonight.

Although the English started strongly, and trailed by just two at the end of the first break, New Zealand's strength through the midcourt, coupled with some no-nonsense defence and finished by accurate shooting, saw them home in style.

New Zealand captain Casey Williams paid tribute to her team as they turned out a composed effort over four quarters.

"It was really a great team effort out there ... we knew it was sudden death, we were given the opportunity and we took it," she said afterwards.

After working her 12-strong squad hard in earlier games, Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken settled for a predictably strong starting seven, and she was rewarded with a sharp opening quarter as her side forced the turnover and goaled from England's first pass.

After a distinctly average shooting game yesterday, goal attack Maria Tutaia was back to her brilliant best, moving well and combining smoothly with Irene van Dyk in the circle as New Zealand eased out to an early 5-1 lead.

But the English fought back, midcourters Tamsin Greenway and Karen Atikinson providing strong drive to the circle edge for shooters Jo Harten and Pamela Cookey to finish as they shot 100 percent for the first quarter. On defence, Sonia Mkoloma and Geva Mentor made sure van Dyk and Tutaia had to work for every ball, while Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic defender Jade Clarke was nothing short of a menace on the circle edge.

But New Zealand midcourters Temepara George and Laura Langman were equal to the challenge, dictating tempo through the middle to ease New Zealand out to a 13-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Despite starting the second quarter with a blitzing attack - they scored the opening five goals - the Silver Ferns just couldn't shake the determined English, who battled back over the second stanza every time the New Zealanders threatened to run away.

England coach Sue Hawkins rang the changes midway through the spell, benching Jo Harten for Louisa Brownfield and bringing Eboni Beckford-Chambers on for Mkoloma. Brownfield took time to settle, and the Silver Ferns snuck two goals in the closing minute to lead 23-18 at halftime.

Aitken made two judicious changes at the break, Joline Henry coming on at wing defence for Anna Scarlett to provide more impetus and direction in the transition from defence, and Leana de Bruin replacing Katrina Grant at the back to add height and strengthen New Zealand's rebounding

The changes worked a treat as the Silver Ferns ground down England, pouncing on a tentative Brownfield as she appeared increasingly reluctant to put up the shot. With van Dyk and Tutaia providing the finish, New Zealand scored the last six of the spell to go into the last 15 minutes with a 13-goal lead.

The final quarter descended into battle of attrition as England, with Mkoloma returned at goal defence to provide some much-needed steel to the English circle defence. A series of midcourt turnovers, and the occasionally puzzling umpiring decision, saw England go on a five-goal run to close the gap to 40-31 with just over seven minutes remaining.

But the result was never really in doubt and the Silver Ferns played with poise and purpose to close out the win.

New Zealand 49 England 34. Halftime: 23-18.


- NZPA