Silver Ferns defeated by dominant NZ Men
July 14, 2022
The Silver Ferns were dealt a tough workout ahead of their Commonwealth Games campaign when the NZ Men produced a dominant 61-46 win in the Cadbury Netball Series in Auckland on Thursday.
With both teams winning their opening day matches, it was the Men who lifted their game to new levels on day two while recording their highest winning margin over the Silver Ferns, which previously stood at 13.
With no established starting seven decided as yet, the Silver Ferns continued to look at consolidation and to keep testing their options with multiple changes being made throughout.
This resulted in a lack of cohesion at times for the Silver Ferns but they were also guilty of not making the most of their opportunities. They were also without shooter Grace Nweke for the match after the lofty shooter suffered a minor knock yesterday and was rested as a precaution.
In contrast, Men’s shooter Jay Geldard was a rock under the hoop, converting 35 from 37 during his time on court.
Many of the Silver Ferns were given opportunities in positions they don’t play regularly but with coach Dame Noeline Taurua out of Covid isolation and back on the side-lines for the Silver Ferns, she would have gleaned plenty after facing a thorough examination from the well-drilled NZ Men.
It was a confident start from the Silver Ferns who employed a patient and deliberate pattern of play but also showing their ability to unleash a quick and accurate free-flowing style when transitioning through court.
They also made a good job of limiting the Men’s aerial, free-flowing, athletic style through a strong defensive effort from the growing combination of Sulu Fitzpatrick and Kelly Jury.
Maia Wilson adapted well to her role at goal attack, holding strongly and showing confidence to shoot. Restricted to a quiet start left the Men unable to unleash their full repertoire, and as a result the scores were all tied up at 12-apiece at the first break.
As expected, the Silver Ferns made mass changes for the second stanza, the Men making just a couple to keep their line-up reasonably settled.
It didn’t take long for the Men to take charge, a lift in intensity and confidence adding the much renowned flair and speed as the goals came more easily.
The quick scoring and free-flowing response from the Men rattled the Silver Ferns where experienced in-circle defenders Matt Wetere and Daniel Rich were a constant disruptive presence. A change from centre to wing defence for Kruze Tangira proved no lessening of impact for the captain who was in the thick of the action.
With the Silver Ferns scoring options drying up, Gina Crampton and Wilson were injected back into the game, a strong finish helping trim the 11-goal deficit to six when the Men led 29-23 at the main break.
With Jury off for the third quarter, the Silver Ferns were faced with a serious height mismatch in the Men’s shooting circle. Continuing to pile on the pressure where the Men dazzled with their speed, athleticism and timing, five goals on the trot pushing them out to a double-digit lead.
At the same time with their strong defensive line remaining intact, the pressure from the Men kept the Silver Ferns scoreless for long patches when they were pushed wide and out of their comfort range on the short.
In another dominant quarter, the Men streaked out to a handsome 47-33 lead at the last turn.
With both teams winning their opening day matches, it was the Men who lifted their game to new levels on day two while recording their highest winning margin over the Silver Ferns, which previously stood at 13.
With no established starting seven decided as yet, the Silver Ferns continued to look at consolidation and to keep testing their options with multiple changes being made throughout.
This resulted in a lack of cohesion at times for the Silver Ferns but they were also guilty of not making the most of their opportunities. They were also without shooter Grace Nweke for the match after the lofty shooter suffered a minor knock yesterday and was rested as a precaution.
In contrast, Men’s shooter Jay Geldard was a rock under the hoop, converting 35 from 37 during his time on court.
Many of the Silver Ferns were given opportunities in positions they don’t play regularly but with coach Dame Noeline Taurua out of Covid isolation and back on the side-lines for the Silver Ferns, she would have gleaned plenty after facing a thorough examination from the well-drilled NZ Men.
It was a confident start from the Silver Ferns who employed a patient and deliberate pattern of play but also showing their ability to unleash a quick and accurate free-flowing style when transitioning through court.
They also made a good job of limiting the Men’s aerial, free-flowing, athletic style through a strong defensive effort from the growing combination of Sulu Fitzpatrick and Kelly Jury.
Maia Wilson adapted well to her role at goal attack, holding strongly and showing confidence to shoot. Restricted to a quiet start left the Men unable to unleash their full repertoire, and as a result the scores were all tied up at 12-apiece at the first break.
As expected, the Silver Ferns made mass changes for the second stanza, the Men making just a couple to keep their line-up reasonably settled.
It didn’t take long for the Men to take charge, a lift in intensity and confidence adding the much renowned flair and speed as the goals came more easily.
The quick scoring and free-flowing response from the Men rattled the Silver Ferns where experienced in-circle defenders Matt Wetere and Daniel Rich were a constant disruptive presence. A change from centre to wing defence for Kruze Tangira proved no lessening of impact for the captain who was in the thick of the action.
With the Silver Ferns scoring options drying up, Gina Crampton and Wilson were injected back into the game, a strong finish helping trim the 11-goal deficit to six when the Men led 29-23 at the main break.
With Jury off for the third quarter, the Silver Ferns were faced with a serious height mismatch in the Men’s shooting circle. Continuing to pile on the pressure where the Men dazzled with their speed, athleticism and timing, five goals on the trot pushing them out to a double-digit lead.
At the same time with their strong defensive line remaining intact, the pressure from the Men kept the Silver Ferns scoreless for long patches when they were pushed wide and out of their comfort range on the short.
In another dominant quarter, the Men streaked out to a handsome 47-33 lead at the last turn.