Netball: Silver Ferns demolish Fiji in champs debut

Silver Fern captain Casey Williams. File Photo / Natalie Slade

New Zealand demolished Fiji to take their first pool match 80-25 at the netball world championship in Singapore tonight.

The Silver Ferns still looked occasionally patchy, particularly in the second quarter, but built momentum in the closing 30 minutes for the overwhelming win.

There was never any doubt about the game's result: Fiji haven't managed to beat the Silver Ferns in their five meetings since 1975, and their narrowest loss was a 43-goal defeat at the 1999 world championships.

But with a limited build-up - just two tests last month against Australia - New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken took the opportunity to give all her 12-strong squad a run.

Her starting line-up had a no-nonsense look about it, shooters Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia combining with top-line midcourters Temepara George and Laura Langman.

Aitken's versatile defensive options received a good workout, the abrasive Anna Scarlett starting at wing defence, captain Casey Williams at goal defence with the rangy Leana de Bruin at the back.

It was a combination that looked unaccountably hesitant in the opening minutes, with Fiji forcing the turnover and scoring against the pass.

The patience and more measured tempo of the Fijians disrupted the Silver Ferns' timing more than it should have as the New Zealanders conceded too many turnovers early on.

Eventually, however, the New Zealanders built into the game as the midcourt found good lines into the circle.

Tutaia and van Dyk relished the extra time and space Fiji allowed them, showing quick hands and good vision in working the ball round the circle before converting possession into points.

Ahead 20-8 after 15 minutes, the Silver Ferns started the second quarter slowly and Fiji took full advantage to sink four goals to New Zealand's one.

Tutaia then rolled an ankle, and the Silver Ferns took too long to settle as replacement Anna Thompson took over the goal attack bib.

The adjustment came eventually as the New Zealanders went on a nine-goal scoring spree, but Aitken would have been looking for a quicker reaction.

The Silver Ferns still took out the quarter 16-9 to lead 36-17 at the break, and Aitken opted for wholesale change going into the third quarter.

Paula Griffin replaced van Dyk in the shooting circle, while Liana Leota took over at wing attack in George's place.

Scarlett was benched and Joline Henry came on at wing defence, while Katrina Grant replaced de Bruin at goal keep.

The new combination was quick into its work, and the Fijians found it nearly impossible to pierce some particularly stifling midcourt defence.

With Thompson and Griffin shooting in the mid 80 per cent range, and a barrage of quality supply from Leota and Langman, the Silver Ferns restricted Fiji to just two goals for the quarter while sinking 21 themselves.

They extended the lead in the closing quarter, winning the 15 minute spell 23-6 to close out the win.

- NZPA