KEY POINTS:
The Silver Ferns held off a vastly improved Jamaica to win the second match of a two-test netball series 68-46 in Auckland tonight.
After a 36-80 loss in the first test in Christchurch on Thursday, the Jamaicans were on a hiding to nothing, but they regrouped strongly to
contest each quarter tonight, stretching the hosts on occasion and regaining some pride in the process.
The Jamaicans showed more passion and commitment in the opening minutes than they managed in the entire first test, streaking away to an early 3-0 lead before Irene van Dyk sunk New Zealand's first goal.
But the Jamaicans couldn't maintain that early momentum, and at 1-4 down, the Silver Ferns hit a five-goal run that gave them a lead they never looked like relinquishing.
Captain Elaine Davis started at goal shoot for the Jamaicans, after towering shooter Romelda Aiken's lacklustre performance in the first test.
After taking the heat of the opening minutes, Davis was subbed off and a more confident-looking Aiken took the court.
However, Aiken and goal attack Simone Forbes' supply of ball was erratic at best, with the Jamaican midcourt struggling to bring the ball through New Zealand's swarming defence.
Down 9-18 at the end of the first quarter, Jamaica dug deep in the second spell and held New Zealand to a 38-24 lead at halftime.
Aiken kept the Silver Ferns' in-goal defence of Joline Henry and Casey Williams on their toes, and at halftime she had missed only three of 16 attempts on goal.
At the other end of the court, van Dyk was at her best, shooting 100 per cent for the quarter and sinking 26 from 28 attempts in the first half.
Van Dyk missed only two shots for the entire match, with impressive statistics of 49 from 51 attempts.
New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken rang the changes at halftime, bringing on Jodi Te Huna for Maria Tutaia at goal attack, Leana de Bruin for Joline Henry at goal defence and veteran Julie Seymour at centre as Laura Langman moved to wing defence.
New Zealand had to work hard to win the spell 13-11, with Williams kept extra busy reining in Aiken, to give then a 51-35 lead with 15 minutes left.
With just under 10min remaining new cap Maree Bowden came on for captain Adine Wilson, and slotted in well despite being under constant pressure from Jamaican wing defence Nichola Gibson.
Aitken gave her entire bench a run, as Paula Griffin took over from Te Huna for the last 2min.
- NZPA
