England edge Silver Ferns in first test

A strong fourth quarter surge by the Silver Ferns could not stop England posting a closely-fought 42-38 win in the first of the two-test New World Netball Series in Rotorua on Tuesday.

It was just the fourth win for England in the 83 tests played between the two countries, the platform laid by the prowess at their shooting and defensive ends.

Defenders Geva Mentor and Eboni Beckford-Chambers were a solid and menacing presence throughout as they put the heat on New Zealand’s shooters while at the other end the tall shooting duo of Jo Harten and Rachel Dunn proved a well-tuned pairing with their positioning and accuracy.

The Silver Ferns regrouped after the first half to draw level midway through the third stanza but in mirroring much of the game, the home team could not maintain their consistency.

Time and again, England edged out to a handy buffer but the Silver Ferns, particularly in the run home, stormed back into contention with patches of effective and efficient netball.

Trailing 34-27 at the last break the Silver Ferns, with wing defence Kayla Cullen back on the court for her first international since 2012, had their opportunities when they surged to within one on the back of a five-goal scoring spree.

But they could not hold England out, the visitors holding their nerve to gain a rare win over the home team.

An experienced England maintained a superior edge through their accuracy and better finishing in a see-sawing encounter.

The Silver Ferns retained the same starting line-up from their previous test with the well-performed Bailey Mes getting the nod at goal attack but it was the visitors who gained the edge through the closing stages of an even first stanza.

England’s rangy shooting duo of Dunn and Harten provided solid targets under the hoop, their accuracy also a cut above New Zealand’s. The Silver Ferns found good flow early to keep the game on an even keel but their efforts fell away as England provided a strong finish to the quarter.

Five goals on the trot by an increasingly confident England propelled the visitors to a 14-9 lead at the first break.

Liana Leota replaced Grace Rasmussen at wing attack for the Silver Ferns on the resumption but it was England who added another couple of goals before the game came alight.

Leota formed a potent combination with Laura Langman on attack, added speed helping the New Zealanders get some much needed impetus as the home team went on their own scoring streak.

A run of six unanswered goals brought the Silver Ferns to within one before England replied with their own strong surge to regain the initiative.

Leana de Bruin and Katrina Grant won valuable ball on defence as rookie shooter Ameliaranne Wells was introduced just ahead of halftime for her third cap to help ignite some spark in the shooting circle. However, highlighted by momentum swings, it was England who held their five-goal buffer when leading 22-17 at the main break.