Spirited Second Test Outing from Silver Ferns 9 Oct 2014
Related articles
- Niki Roderick Extends Depth To New Zealand Record Sport
- NZ More Interested in All Whites than All Blacks Sport
- Australia Jumping on the Boy Bandwagon Living
- All Whites claim historic point Sport
- Prime Minister to travel to South Africa News
- Snow on The Remarkables Living
- Team Selected for Ultimate Ride Jet-ski Sport
- Trubridge Triumphs With Unassisted Freedive Record Sport
- New Zealand 2011 Business Club launched Business
- 300 feet down: two bare feet and one breath of air Living
Spirited Second Test Outing from Silver Ferns
8 October 2014
Turning on a much-improved effort, the Silver Ferns forced Australia to work hard for their 49-40 win in the second test of the Constellation Cup series in Melbourne on Wednesday.
After losing the first test in Invercargill last week by 17 goals, there was plenty to admire from the Silver Ferns in the rematch. Captain Casey Kopua was an influential figure in picking up a bounty of turnover ball, while getting her first taste of international netball, newcomer Ameliaranne Wells excelled in her debut and with it the prospect of a bright future.
The Silver Ferns momentum stalled at the beginning of the third quarter when changes were made to the line-up. Taking time to adjust, the Silver Ferns showed their intent with gutsy resolve, storming back admirably in the face of a rampant Australia to leave the Diamonds far from safe when leading 35-29 at the last break.
With Kopua again the shining light, the Silver Ferns made the best of starts in the run home, drawing to within two and with it the prospect of a major upset. However, rushes of blood resulted in costly turnovers.
With the game raising several notches, defensive pairing Julie Corletto and Laura Geitz proved pivotal in securing turnover ball which the towering Catlin Bassett converted at the other end as Australia hung to take a 2-0 lead in the four-test series.
The Silver Ferns presented with a new-look attack line, rookie Bailey Mes getting her first start at goal attack in her short five-test Silver Ferns career while Grace Rasmussen, back in the fold after a four-year absence, started at wing attack.
Rewarding her players for a job well done in the first test, Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander opted to retain her winning formula as both teams got off to measured starts.
The Silver Ferns produced a much tighter defensive effort to plug up the holes and deny Australia the speed and flow they had enjoyed in the first test. The visitors enjoyed plenty of opportunities in winning back a lot of ball defensively but a lack of accuracy under the hoop helped Australia keep their noses in front 11-7 at the first break.
Not for the first time this season, shooter Cathrine Latu found herself with a new goal attack on the restart when another rookie, Wells, was introduced for her international debut.
Queensland raised but with New Zealand parentage, the athletic Wells made an immediate impact, sinking her first shot, from range, with the calm and poise of a seasoned veteran.
Wells added a variety of options, her movement opening up the attacking momentum which provided the all-important lift in confidence and accuracy. The Silver Ferns through court play also improved, the ball movement and precision helping the visitors chip into the deficit.
Defenders Kopua and Katrina Grant forced numerous turnovers with solid back-up from 109-test veteran Laura Langman and Joline Henry as the Silver Ferns produced a spirited response.
With Latu converting a perfect 15 from 15 for the first half and the Silver Ferns heading the intercept count 7-1, the Diamonds were left looking over their shoulders when heading to the main break with a slender 24-21 lead.
The third test will be played in Sydney on Saturday.
Please click here for the Silver Ferns - New World Netball Series Media Guide.
Or download the PDF Version to print.
ENDS
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more