Netball: Aitken gives Jamaicans the once-over

Ruth Aitken

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken says competition within her side means complacency is not an issue as they begin this week's tri-series in Jamaica.

The Silver Ferns meet Jamaica this morning in their first game of the series, which also features Barbados.

They meet Barbados tomorrow before the top two teams square off in the final on Wednesday.

The Jamaicans opened their campaign with a convincing 51-36 win over Barbados yesterday but go into the series after a 3-0 series loss to Australia.

They got a 25-goal pummelling from the Silver Ferns a fortnight ago.

Aitken was impressed with the Jamaicans yesterday, in particular 16-year-old shooter Romelda Aiken.

With regular shooter Elaine Davis absent with family commitments, the 1.96m tall Aiken started at goal shoot.

"Romelda is going to be outstanding," Aitken said. "Her hands are a little bit suspect when she is under pressure but if the placement of the pass is accurate then she is really sound.

"She came out of the circle at different times and made her way back quite safely so she is not unco-ordinated by any stretch of the imagination."

Although the 1.90m Davis may start against the Silver Ferns, Aiken is likely to make an appearance, which means the New Zealand defence and in particular Vilimaina Davu, 6cm shorter than Aiken, is in for a tough time.

Aitken said her defenders would have to work as a unit and try to confuse the space in the shooting circle.

"Our feeling is when you have a mismatch in height you need to give yourself some room on defence.

"A standing jump or standing on one side where they can put the ball into the space is no good."

Jamaican coach Janet Guy was quick to criticise her side's lack of fitness and inability to keep up with the Australians.

But Aitken is wary of such talk. From what she observed, Jamaica's tiny midcourter, the experienced Nadine Bryan, provided plenty of speed through court, and the equally experienced Oberon Pitterson was tireless at wing defence.

Aitken said she was looking for more variety from the Silver Ferns.

"We have been very good at getting turnovers in and around the [their opponents' shooting] circle but we need to put more pressure on up court.

"On attack it is ensuring that we keep developing a whole range of things so people don't think they can shut down either one key player or key move they think we rely on."

She has said she is keen to use all 12 of her players during the series but is not so sure she will go as far as All Black coach Graham Henry and his cleanout between the Wales and Ireland tests.

"I don't know if I have taken such a boldness pill," she laughs. "But good on him. I am probably a little more conservative."

* The Silver Ferns' match against Jamaica is live on TV One at 10.15am today.