Netball: Test fails to match occasion

Irene van Dyk was the star as she took the court for her 200th test ... and she is still finding ways for the Silver Ferns to improve their game. Photo / Getty Images

Silver Ferns 53 England 32

No athlete should claim to be bigger than the game, but last night Irene van Dyk was.

The world's most experienced player racked up another extraordinary milestone in her glittering career in the Silver Ferns' win over England in Invercargill.

The on-court action was almost secondary to the celebrations for the inspirational Ferns' shooter, who was playing her 200th international test, and for departing New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken, who was leading the side in her last home test.

But with the Silver Ferns 22 goals better than England in their opening hit-out, the match was always going to struggle to live up to the occasion.

From the moment you walked in to the stadium with the seats draped with posters of van Dyk, you sensed it would be a special night, even if the netball wasn't.

The lady of the hour took to the court to rapturous applause.

The rest of the team delayed their on-court run-on to salute the teammate they affectionately call "I's".

There were further tributes to come, with video footage of van Dyk throughout her career played on the big screen during the final break, while speeches and flowers came after the match.

Netball New Zealand also honoured Aitken, who will hand over to her as-yet-unannounced successor following the three-test series in Australia this month.

Van Dyk said she was delighted to share her big night with her long-time coach and mentor.

"I got really emotional as I walked out because every seat had a poster on it, so it was amazing and it's just lovely to share it with all the amazing girls around me," she said

"Ruth has been a stalwart for the last 10 years and her track record has been incredible."

With last night's match the final for the Ferns before they take on the world champion Australians this month, Aitken was looking for a much slicker performance than the disjointed effort in Monday night's opener.

But the second test was also marred by patches of frantic play and poor execution as the Ferns continued to develop new combinations.

It was always going to be hard to maintain consistency throughout the four quarters when a variety of different combinations were tried, giving 11 of the 12-strong squad a run.

Van Dyk said it wasn't the flawless performance her side had been aiming for, but she said the team and in particular the newcomers would only grow from the experience.

"It's been a good hit-out and a good chance to get the confidence of those young players up," she said.

"We definitely have to work on our links and make sure we score off our turnovers, because your ball is so precious when you play Australia."

The match got away to an ugly start, with only three goals scored in the first five minutes - all by the Silver Ferns.

Spurred on by some brilliant defence by Leana de Bruin and 19-year-old Kayla Cullen, playing in only her second test, the Ferns put the foot down later in the quarter.

But the English continued to struggle, amassing just five goals in the opening quarter to set the tone for the match.

While England fought back valiantly in the second half, the committed New Zealand defence ensured the visitors were never in a position to threaten the Ferns' lead.