Netball: Silver Ferns power past Australia

New Zealand avenged their series loss in Australia last November when proving too strong for Australia in the one-off trans-Tasman netball test at Sydney Superdome last night.

A decisive third quarter paved the way for the Silver Ferns' 50-43 win.

Having gone into halftime ahead 30-27 they emerged after three-quarter time with a decisive 41-35 advantage.

They then drove that home, leaping out to a nine-point advantage midway through the final quarter.

There were some nervous moments as Australian fought back with Sharelle McMahon's reintroduction into the attack as the home side took advantage of some querulous umpiring decisions.

But the Silver Ferns held together during a helter skelter last six minutes and their seven point winning margin was emphatic compared to the close series won by the Australians 2-1 in November.

They won every quarter and their good work in midcourt was sheeted home by the shooting brilliance of Irene van Dyk.

The experience of captain Adine Wilson and centre Temepara George shone through in the tight moments, with George often having to pick herself up from the canvas under the attention of the rugged Australian defence.

New Zealand sprang a minor surprise by starting with 19-year-old Laura Langman at wing defence, ahead of the experienced Lesley Rumball, while Joline Henry began at wing defence ahead of Anna Scarlett.

Langman certainly did not look of place in the international arena, linking well with Vilimaina Davu and George, while Scarlett was an energetic presence in the second half after repalcing Henry.

The New Zealanders missed their first two scoring chances through nerves, but soon settled down to edge Australia 17-15 after a fast, lively first quarter.

They were 30-27 ahead after the second quarter and jumped out to 41-35 at the end of the third quarter.

Their cause was aided by a strong showing at goal attack by Jodi Te Huna, who showed, as she did last November in Australia, that she is a more than capable foil for van Dyk, shooting seven from nine in the first quarter.

Australian coach Norma Plummer was blunt in her assessment of the hard-fought match.

"It was not netball, it was a boxing match. I don't think we stood up to the fight."

Silver Ferns' coach Aitken though was jubilant.

"They were just outstanding. It was a tense match right from the opening whistle to the end. The way they just kept on keeping on was really great. "

She in particular paid tribute to her defensive lineup. "In the end we were able to close them down and I thought the pressure in the defensive circle on the shot was outstanding.

'I have never seen Australia look so shaky in taking the shot. "

In response to Plummer's comments, Aitken said: "I thought it was netball."

George was later announced player of the match before a crowd of 12,350.

Van Dyk ended the match with 36 goals from 38 attempts, an average of 95 per cent.

Te Huna netted 14 from 21, while for the Australians, Catherine Cox shot 29 from 39.

- NZPA