Netball: Aitken looks for more precision

Young goal attack Maria Tutaia (right) was in the starting line-up against Jamaica, settling in alongside veteran Irene van Dyk. File Picture

New Zealand 57 Jamaica 39

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken is looking for a more clinical performance from her side this morning in their second Tri-Series match against Barbados.

The Silver Ferns scored an easy win over first-round opponents Jamaica in Kingston yesterday. However, their performance was marred by a high turnover count.

While the Silver Ferns were a much stronger unit than the Jamaicans, they did at times struggle with their rivals' unorthodox style and physical defence.

"The players are disappointed. They felt they were not as tidy as they should have been," Aitken said.

"I felt on attack we allowed ourselves to get into the trap of running a bit much. Jamaica's timing is quite different and it was taking longer for our attacking players to get free."

While Barbados are not expected to rattle the Silver Ferns - the last time the two sides met, in the 2003 world championships, New Zealand won 84-45 - they do play a similar style to Jamaica and will provide the Silver Ferns with an opportunity to master the Caribbean game before Wednesday's final.

"For us, it is making sure we keep that ball flat rather than put it in the air, because that is when they can do a bit of damage physically and game-wise," Aitken said.

Going into the tournament, Aitken said she was keen to give all 12 of her players a run and yesterday she stayed true to her word giving 11 of the 12 players court time.

Her most significant move was starting with young Auckland shooter Maria Tutaia at goal attack.

Tutaia, a member of the New Zealand under-21 team who won the world youth title this year, missed her first two attempts at goal but soon settled in alongside veteran goal shoot Irene van Dyk.

"I was very impressed with her. When she missed the first two goals I felt really sorry for her. But she kept on putting them up and I thought she played with real composure."

The Jamaicans also sprung a surprise of their own, starting with veteran defender and captain Oberon Pitterson at wing attack. Jamaican coach Jane Guy said the move was to add some leadership in attack.

The Jamaicans were always going to struggle with the Silver Ferns lower, flatter, faster style.

While they started the match strongly, they soon fell to a 17-9 first-quarter deficit.

The Silver Ferns defence through court caused their rivals all sorts of difficulty. The Jamaicans did better when they punched through the court.

Ahead 30-16 at halftime, Aitken brought Belinda Colling on to goal attack, Anna Rowberry to centre and Anna Scarlett to goal defence.

The new line-up took some time to adjust to the Caribbean style, letting the Jamaicans match New Zealand's 13 goals in the quarter.

Van Dyk, who scored 29 from her 32 attempts, was subbed off in the last quarter in favour of Jodi Te Huna. The Silver Ferns ended the match strongly, winning the last quarter 14-10.

Jamaican coach Janey Guy was upbeat about her side's performance, saying they started off "energetically and finished energetically". "Our shooting was a bit off," she said. "But the third quarter was good."