Netball: Strong showing caps off fine year

A clean sweep and the emergence of some quality combinations: as far as Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken is concerned it is a case of objectives achieved in the netball Tri-Series in the Caribbean.

Following their 57-39 win over Jamaica and 77-21 victory over Barbados, the Silver Ferns beat Jamaica 67 - 32 for the second time yesterday in the series final in Kingston.

As their last international match before the Commonwealth Games, the Silver Ferns were hoping to deliver a polished performance - and they went pretty close to achieving it.

Ahead 17-9 in the first quarter, the Silver Ferns found another gear in the third quarter, scoring 21-4.

"I thought it was a big step up from our previous performances," Aitken said. "We certainly wanted to finish strongly because it was our last test of the year."

Aitken again gave 11 of her 12 players a run.

Irene van Dyk sat out the first half, making way for Jodi Te Huna and Belinda Colling who started at goal shoot and goal attack which gave the Ferns a more mobile look.

Waikato defender Casey Williams got her second start at goal defence, teaming up again with Vilimaina Davu at goal keep.

As was the case in the first match, the Silver Ferns ran away with the match in the first quarter. The Jamaicans were guilty of far too many turnovers which the Silver Ferns easily converted into points.

Jamaica made three changes at the quarter break, the most significant being the transfer of captain Oberon Pitterson from wing attack to her more traditional position of goal keep.

Pitterson had an impact but it was short-lived as she was pushed out to wing defence in a team reshuffle during an injury break.

Ahead 31-17 at halftime, the Silver Ferns shifted up a gear in the third quarter, at one stage scoring 11 unanswered goals. The third quarter was possibly the Silver Ferns best of the entire Tri-Series.

Although Jodi Te Huna and Belinda Colling did a commendable job in the first half, the introduction of van Dyk in the third quarter allowed the Silver Ferns to return to a more free-flowing game.

The New Zealanders' speed on attack and tireless defence proved too much for the under-strength Jamaican side. Anna Rowberry and Leana de Bruin were introduced at wing attack and goal keep in the last quarter, a quarter New Zealand won 15-11.