FAST5 Ferns rock Australia to claim fourth consecutive World Series title
October 30, 2016
New Zealand’s FAST5 Ferns secured a fourth successive Fast5 Netball World Series title with a comprehensive 41-16 win over Australia in the Grand Final in Melbourne on Sunday.
Continuing their dominance of the abbreviated version of the game, the FAST5 Ferns reversed the three-goal loss to Australia in round-robin play the previous day with a masterful exhibition of precision shooting and tactically astute play.
Choosing for the first time in the tournament to take their power play in the second quarter proved a masterstroke by the New Zealanders. FAST5 Ferns captain and long range shooting specialist Maria Tutaia delivered in trademark style with a clutch of decisive three-pointers from the maximum scoring zone.
The queen of the long bomb followed up in the next quarter with another two, one on the stroke of three quarter time as the FAST5 Ferns nailed home a winning advantage ahead of Australia’s last quarter power play.
Feeding off Tutaia’s exploits, rookie shooters Maia Wilson and Te Paea Selby-Rickit chimed in with valuable contributions to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
The FAST5 Ferns continued to apply the blow torch with an unwavering third quarter, keeping Australia in check at both ends of the court. A strong defensive effort ensured a number of turnovers by the New Zealanders while Australia’s shooting went off the boil.
The FAST5 Ferns maintained the momentum heading into Australia’s power play, the defensive quartet of Jane Watson, Storm Purvis, Kelly Jury and Phoenix Karaka delivering a sensational effort to keep the hosts scoreless throughout the entire six minutes of their power play.
Despite winning the previous three World Series titles, the FAST5 Ferns were considered underdogs for this year’s tournament, coming in as the least experienced of the world’s top six.
With no tournament held last year because of the Netball World Cup, the FAST5 Ferns had no players returning from 2014 while Tutaia was the only one with Fast5 experience. Instead there was a host of fresh new faces and a new coach in Kiri Wills.
With Australia hosting the tournament for the first time, the experienced home team were favourites to secure their first title but came unstuck against the mercurial finishing of Tutaia and the collective determination of the FAST5 Ferns to continue their rich tradition in the game.
An inspiring performance by athletic super shooter Mwai Kumwenda led Malawi to a best-ever third place finish.
Final placings: FAST5 Ferns 1, Australia 2, Malawi 3, England 4, Jamaica 5, South Africa 6.
Continuing their dominance of the abbreviated version of the game, the FAST5 Ferns reversed the three-goal loss to Australia in round-robin play the previous day with a masterful exhibition of precision shooting and tactically astute play.
Choosing for the first time in the tournament to take their power play in the second quarter proved a masterstroke by the New Zealanders. FAST5 Ferns captain and long range shooting specialist Maria Tutaia delivered in trademark style with a clutch of decisive three-pointers from the maximum scoring zone.
The queen of the long bomb followed up in the next quarter with another two, one on the stroke of three quarter time as the FAST5 Ferns nailed home a winning advantage ahead of Australia’s last quarter power play.
Feeding off Tutaia’s exploits, rookie shooters Maia Wilson and Te Paea Selby-Rickit chimed in with valuable contributions to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
The FAST5 Ferns continued to apply the blow torch with an unwavering third quarter, keeping Australia in check at both ends of the court. A strong defensive effort ensured a number of turnovers by the New Zealanders while Australia’s shooting went off the boil.
The FAST5 Ferns maintained the momentum heading into Australia’s power play, the defensive quartet of Jane Watson, Storm Purvis, Kelly Jury and Phoenix Karaka delivering a sensational effort to keep the hosts scoreless throughout the entire six minutes of their power play.
Despite winning the previous three World Series titles, the FAST5 Ferns were considered underdogs for this year’s tournament, coming in as the least experienced of the world’s top six.
With no tournament held last year because of the Netball World Cup, the FAST5 Ferns had no players returning from 2014 while Tutaia was the only one with Fast5 experience. Instead there was a host of fresh new faces and a new coach in Kiri Wills.
With Australia hosting the tournament for the first time, the experienced home team were favourites to secure their first title but came unstuck against the mercurial finishing of Tutaia and the collective determination of the FAST5 Ferns to continue their rich tradition in the game.
An inspiring performance by athletic super shooter Mwai Kumwenda led Malawi to a best-ever third place finish.
Final placings: FAST5 Ferns 1, Australia 2, Malawi 3, England 4, Jamaica 5, South Africa 6.