New Zealand scored a confident 55-40 victory over Australia in their Tri-Nations netball match at the State Netball Centre in Melbourne last night.
Led by a stellar performance from goal shooter Irene Van Dyk – who missed just two shots from 37 in the first three quarters of the match and
finished with 44 goals from 50 attempts - the Silver Ferns won their second straight victory over Australia.
The visitors powered out to an early 8-3 lead with Van Dyk hitting her stride and tough defence proving hard for the Australians to penetrate.
But the world champions weren't to be so easy shaken, staying in touch to trail 27-23 at halftime.
The Silver Ferns opened up a 12-goal lead over the course of the third quarter, keeping the Australian attack tied down as Van Dyk continued with her hot shooting run.
New Zealand only had to hang on through the final quarter, extending out their lead to 15 and score a victory which will give them much heart heading into the next leg of the series.
The Silver Ferns now move to Canberra to face South Africa on Tuesday night.
New Zealand 55 (I Van Dyk 44, D Loffhagen 9, B Colling 2)
Australia 40 (C Cox 14, S McMahon 10, E Southby 8, J Delaney 8).
