FAST5 Ferns open FAST5 campaign in convincing fashion

The FAST5 Ferns have opened their FAST5 Netball World Series campaign in style with a convincing 42-13 win over Malawi.

Coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek said she was pleased that everyone contributed in their first game of the two-day netball event and she was already looking forward to their next match against England.

 

“It was amazing,” she said. 

“It was really good to put it all out there in game one and get rid of those nerves.”

“Defensively we got some beautiful ball and everyone was contributing – it didn’t matter which defence we put on we were still producing the goods.

“We want to try and up that scoring rate and putting more shots in each game because when that pressure comes on that’s what we’ll need to do.”

Grace Nweke made her FAST5 debut, getting the start alongside Tiana Metuarau with Whitney Souness in the middle and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson and Kate Burley in defence.

The Ferns got the early jump on Malawi, but Joyce Mvula at the back, Malawi were always within reach until a late six-pointer from Amorangi Malesala gave the hosts a 10-5 lead heading into the first break.

Consistently getting ball to the circle edge for Malesala to attempt the high-scoring goals kept the crowd on the edge of their seats – the Ferns leading 19-8 at halftime.

Strong with their rebounding on attack and hunting defensively from Sokolich-Beatson put the Ferns into the box seat by the three-quarter mark with a 30-10 advantage.

They maintained that intensity throughout all four periods with Burley, Sokolich-Beatson and Elle Temu pulling in plenty of ball for the Ferns to secure the commanding win.

The FAST5 Ferns next game is against the English Roses at 5.15pm before rounding out the first day against Australia at 8.15pm.