New-look FAST5 Ferns well placed after first day’s play
October 29, 2016
A new generation of FAST5 Ferns remained well in the hunt to retain their title after the completion of the first day’s play at the Fast5 Netball World Series in Melbourne on Saturday.
With the event taking a break last year because of the Netball World Cup, the FAST5 Ferns, who have won the previous three titles, ended the first day of the shortened version of the game in second place on the table.
Notching two earlier wins, the FAST 5 Ferns were pipped 32-29 by Australia in the final game of the first day but there was plenty to be encouraged by from the least experienced team in this year’s line-up.
Queen of the long bomb and the only New Zealand player with FAST5 experience, captain Maria Tutaia led her young charges to an impressive showing against an experienced Australian team.
Three quick successes from the three-point zone from Tutaia in their power play hauled the FAST5 Ferns back into the contest while defenders Jane Watson, Kelly Jury and Phoenix Karaka also played strong hands in reeling in a strong start by the Australians.
The consistent accuracy from Erin Bell from the two-point zone proved the difference as Australia ended the day on top of the table.
With the top six teams in the world competing, the teams will complete a further two matches of round robin play tomorrow to determine places for the final play-off games.
The FAST5 Ferns hit their straps in their second match of the day with a dominant 48-20 win over South Africa.
With the scores level at five-apiece after the first quarter, the FAST5 Ferns moved into overdrive in the second, Tutaia finding her range with three two-pointers and two six-pointers.
That set up an explosive power play quarter, the FAST5 Ferns outscoring South Africa 26-2 with Tutaia continuing her long-range success, ably assisted by impressive rookie Maia Wilson who showed she was just as proficient from distance.
Watson, Karaka and Jury picked off a number of intercepts while keeping the dangerous South African shooters off target.
Earlier, the new-look FAST5 Ferns opened their account in thrilling fashion against a fast-finishing and well-credentialed England to post a 36-35 win.
With two heavyweights of the abbreviated version of the game meeting in a first-up clash, Tutaia showed her experience and sense of occasion to nail a clutch of two-point shots in a strong third quarter power play.
The FAST5 Ferns held off a late charging England with a strong defensive effort while also retaining possession. With their power play eventually paying off, England levelled with 30 seconds left on the clock.
A one-point shot with eight seconds remaining was enough to secure the New Zealanders a first-up win.
With the event taking a break last year because of the Netball World Cup, the FAST5 Ferns, who have won the previous three titles, ended the first day of the shortened version of the game in second place on the table.
Notching two earlier wins, the FAST 5 Ferns were pipped 32-29 by Australia in the final game of the first day but there was plenty to be encouraged by from the least experienced team in this year’s line-up.
Queen of the long bomb and the only New Zealand player with FAST5 experience, captain Maria Tutaia led her young charges to an impressive showing against an experienced Australian team.
Three quick successes from the three-point zone from Tutaia in their power play hauled the FAST5 Ferns back into the contest while defenders Jane Watson, Kelly Jury and Phoenix Karaka also played strong hands in reeling in a strong start by the Australians.
The consistent accuracy from Erin Bell from the two-point zone proved the difference as Australia ended the day on top of the table.
With the top six teams in the world competing, the teams will complete a further two matches of round robin play tomorrow to determine places for the final play-off games.
The FAST5 Ferns hit their straps in their second match of the day with a dominant 48-20 win over South Africa.
With the scores level at five-apiece after the first quarter, the FAST5 Ferns moved into overdrive in the second, Tutaia finding her range with three two-pointers and two six-pointers.
That set up an explosive power play quarter, the FAST5 Ferns outscoring South Africa 26-2 with Tutaia continuing her long-range success, ably assisted by impressive rookie Maia Wilson who showed she was just as proficient from distance.
Watson, Karaka and Jury picked off a number of intercepts while keeping the dangerous South African shooters off target.
Earlier, the new-look FAST5 Ferns opened their account in thrilling fashion against a fast-finishing and well-credentialed England to post a 36-35 win.
With two heavyweights of the abbreviated version of the game meeting in a first-up clash, Tutaia showed her experience and sense of occasion to nail a clutch of two-point shots in a strong third quarter power play.
The FAST5 Ferns held off a late charging England with a strong defensive effort while also retaining possession. With their power play eventually paying off, England levelled with 30 seconds left on the clock.
A one-point shot with eight seconds remaining was enough to secure the New Zealanders a first-up win.