Classy Silver Ferns revel in historic return to Wales 8 Feb 2017
8.2.2017
The Silver Ferns celebrated their first visit to Wales in 20 years with a comprehensive 92-27 win over the hosts in Cardiff on Wednesday.
Completing their Northern Hemisphere tour with a two-Test Series against Wales, the world No 2-ranked Silver Ferns made light work of the less experienced eighth-ranked Wales after banking their second-highest score against the hosts.
Relative newcomers to the Silver Ferns, Gina Crampton, at wing attack, and goalkeeper Kelly Jury enjoyed their first starts at Test Match level as the visitors ran a number of combinations throughout the match.
Fielding a young starting line-up, the New Zealanders were quickly into their work, delivering slick transitional play through court with their speed and passing into space. On the flip side, Wales struggled to penetrate on attack against a water-tight Silver Ferns defence.
Welsh wing attack Bethan Dyke provided some individual highlights but the Silver Ferns showed their polish when taking a healthy 22-9 into the first break.
Anna Harrison joined the fray at goalkeeper on the resumption, coinciding with a lift in intensity across all facets from the Silver Ferns.
Continuing their strong recycling on attack, the Silver Ferns maintained their standards while punishing anything loose by Wales. Slick team work across the court from the New Zealanders was rewarded with a strong shooting exhibition from Bailey Mes who returned 25 shots from 26 attempts in the first half and Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
Taking a stranglehold on proceedings, the Silver Ferns marched into the main break with a commanding 45-18 lead.
Both teams made multiple changes for the second half with teenaged shooter Maia Wilson, wing attack Grace Rasmussen and goalkeeper Jane Watson taking their places on court for the Silver Ferns. Captain Katrina Grant was also given a change of scenery after moving to wing defence.
Selby-Rickit continued to impress with her all-round skills in the shooting circle while the teenaged Wilson delivered a perfect shooting return of 15 from 15.
Dyke was tireless for Wales and well supported by shooter Chelsea Lewis but the home team struggled to contain the relentless Silver Ferns who took a handsome 67-25 lead into the last break.
The Silver Ferns finished with a flourish against a tiring Wales, Watson and Harrison providing a relentless defensive wall for their opponents, Rasmussen delivering the vision and flair on attack and Selby-Rickit and Wilson producing a shooting masterclass – both netting their highest returns for New Zealand.
The teams meet again tomorrow morning (NZ time) for the second match-up between the pair.
Source: NZ Netball
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