Netball: Frustrated Ferns swamp star-struck Proteas

Leigh-Ann Zackey of South Africa attempts an intercept from Silver Fern Belinda Colling. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

Chastened by a shock loss to Australia last week, New Zealand's world champion netballers took out their frustrations on South Africa last night, romping to a record 94-25 obliteration at Trusts Stadium.

Dominant from the opening centre pass, the Silver Ferns sleepwalked to their 16th consecutive win over the Proteas, questioning international netball's credibility with the ease of their triumph.

The relentless Ferns rewrote the record book in a mismatch more appropriately classified as a training run.

Their 94 goals exceeded the 88 scored in November 2000 against South Africa and the 69-goal winning margin erased the previous mark of 56 recorded the following year.

Seeking a degree of atonement after the 38-48 loss to Australia in Sydney last Tuesday, the time for experimentation was over -- at least in the opening quarter.

Coach Ruth Aitken indicated no mercy would be shown to the world's fifth-ranked nation as Irene Van Dyk returned to the starting lineup against her homeland.

The only rotation was on the Silver Ferns side of the ledger as Van Dyk and Belinda Colling had the score ticking after a couple of early glitches.

It took four attacking forays for Colling to open the scoring but from then on the Silver Ferns customary fluidity returned as they dominated at both ends of the court with metronomic efficiency.

The Silver Ferns motored to a 27-2 advantage after the first quarter.

Technically and physically superior in all facets, the Silver Ferns also spooked the South Africans into elementary errors as they struggled to feed 1.92m goalshoot Sindisiwe Gumede.

So dominant were the Silver Ferns, patronising applause for the visitors started when they managed to string two passes together or bat the ball away from the predatory Van Dyk, who tormented Karin Venter and Leigh-Ann Zackey.

New Zealand had the luxury of resting Temepara George. Aitken took no chances with the livewire centre, who aggravated an oblique muscle tear in opening minutes of the Australian loss.

Aitken started with Laura Langman in the centre bib before introducing debutant Debbie White in the second quarter.

White - 11cm taller than the 1.70m George - added height to the midcourt; not that it was a factor, with the gap already insurmountable.

Aitken gave the South Africans some scant respite when she rejigged her defensive alignment, replacing Vilimaina Davu and Leana de Bruin with Anna Scarlett and Casey Williams at halftime.

Rookie shooter Maria Tutaia was also eased into the fray in the third quarter with the hosts up 49-8 and they entered the final quarter with a massive 72-18.

Although the win was well received by an enthusiastic crowd of 4200 they, like the Silver Ferns, left acutely aware the three-test home series against Australia in October is where the real redemption must be achieved.

New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken, who celebrated her 50th birthday yesterday, was pleased with how her players bounced back from last week's setback.

"I think they showed a lot of character and heart today," she said.

"They had a huge disappointment last week and I think they really wanted to show their style. They did it well.

"The team was incredibly committed to performing well for our home crowd."

Aitken said she always intended to give all her squad court time, including handing White her debut.

"But we certainly wanted the flow to keep going and most of the time it did."

South African coach Marlene Wagner cut a dejected figure.

"It was a very disappointing game. At the Commonwealth Games we did much better in our game against New Zealand (lost 37-74)," Wagner said.

"We shot the ball very hesitantly (and) we don't have height in our circle and we couldn't really win balls off Irene.

"From this we will learn things and hopefully we can go home and find some taller players."

- NZPA