Netball: Ferns just too good

They may not yet be faces on fridges but the not-so-famous of the Silver Ferns squad grabbed their chance to shine in the opening game of the international netball season, in a 52-30 victory over England in Auckland last night.

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken gave her newer caps a starring role, and players like defenders Jolene Henry and Laura Langman, and shooter Jodi Te Huna, did not disappoint. Despite losing a worrying list of players to injury, the Silver Ferns made a solid start to the year, downing an English side who at least made a marked improvement on their 40-goal drubbing to Australia a fortnight ago.

It is by no means a lost cause for the English. Once they found their footing, the attack had shades of Australia about it, no doubt influenced by their Aussie-born coach Marg Caldow, a three-time world champion.

The English showed serious intent for the three-match tour, starting with arguably their strongest line-up. The Ferns paid their opponents the same respect.

Henry made her first appearance in a Silver Fern starting seven, teaming up with Vilimaina Davu in the defence circle. The pair immediately gave the English attack the jitters - visiting shooters Karen Greig and Ama Agbeze being penalised for a list of misdemeanours - allowing the Ferns to go out to a four-goal lead.

They missed a chance to draw equal at 7-6, and that was the last time they were anywhere in cooee of the world champions.

England's circle defence, Sonia Mkoloma and Geva Mentor, are a rangy, feisty pair who made New Zealand's shooters Irene van Dyk and Jodi Te Huna work for their goals. But Van Dyk generally thrives off the argy-bargy, and had a smile on her face every time she caught an errant English elbow or knee.

Te Huna, once a promising basketballer, showed signs of becoming an able successor for former Ferns goal attack Belinda Colling, with the same grit, tenacity and hustle outside the circle of the Colling vintage. Only her shooting statistics let her down - potting just 10 from 19 attempts. As is sometimes the case with the Silver Ferns, she was guilty of letting Van Dyk carry the most responsibility under the net. Van Dyk finished the night with 42 successes from 50 attempts - not her usual pinpoint accuracy but understandable considering the pressure the English defenders poured on her.

New Silver Ferns captain Adine Harper was outstanding, leading the side on attack from wing attack with adroit feeding to her shooters and some smart defence up front. There was little to fault in New Zealand's midcourt, and the three wing defence players - Victoria Edward, Anna Scarlett and newcomer Laura Langman - all took their chance to shine in the absence of Lesley Rumball (formerly Nicol).

Captain Olivia Murphy, who missed England's stopover in Australia to recover from ankle surgery, lasted the first half at centre before returning to the bench. At that stage, the Ferns were up 21-17 but still very much in control.

England were let down by their lack of shooting accuracy. Goal shoot Karen Greig was tireless in her search for the ball and put up the lion's share of shots for England, scoring a respectable 12 from 17. But she was generally let down by her shooting partners.

In the third quarter the Ferns lifted the tempo, scoring 19 goals to the visitors' seven, leading 39-24 at the break.

With victory on the horizon, Aitken brought some new blood into the game. Laura Langman, New Zealand's promising under-21 captain, made her debut for the Silver Ferns - entering the game for the final quarter at wing defence.

Netball New Zealand 52
England 30