Silver Ferns open Quad Series with a win

The Silver Ferns have opened their international season with a hard-fought, but captivating, 63-56 victory over South Africa’s SPAR Proteas in the Quad Series in Brisbane tonight.

Outstanding shooting from both Maria Tutaia and Bailey Mes – who had a perfect record before missing the last of her 36 attempts – was a crucial feature in the win.  Whitney Souness also made a stunning debut in the coveted Black Dress, becoming Silver Fern No. 167.

The Proteas, under the guidance of former Australian coach Norma Plummer, made a marked improvement from the last time the two sides met - when the Silver Ferns won comfortably, 70-39, in the Quad Series in London in February.

The South Africans came to the court with a faster, smarter game plan and gave New Zealand a run for their money in three quarters of the match. But it was the Silver Ferns’ patience and composure in the all-important third spell that cemented their opening match victory.

The game marked the return of South African goal attack Maryka Holtzhausen from injury, and her combination with Lenize Potgieter – who played for the WBOP Magic in the ANZ Premiership this season – looked dangerous from the outset.

But equally impressive shooting from Mes and Tutaia, never afraid to put up her breath-taking long shots, kept the Silver Ferns ahead, 18-16, at the end of the first quarter.

New Zealand returned from the break with a new resolve, scoring the first four goals, with captain Katrina Grant leading by example at goal defence.  But the Proteas pushed back at the end of the spell, scoring four in a row, to draw level moments before halftime.

Taking a 31-30 lead into the third quarter, the Ferns made a string of exciting changes – introducing the 1.92m height of Kelly Jury at goal keep and playing Phoenix Karaka at wing defence for the first time.

Young Wellington midcourter Whitney Souness was also given the opportunity to launch her Silver Ferns career, making her presence felt at wing attack, as she deftly fed the shooters with a diverse range of passes.

The New Zealanders brought a new persistence and self-control to their game in this quarter. They quickly established a five-goal lead, and although the Proteas briefly surged again, the Ferns had assumed control to lead 51-42 at three-quarter time.

The Proteas were by no means spent, and won the final quarter by two goals. But the damage had already been done by the Silver Ferns, who held on to win by seven. 

Earlier today, a determined England Roses side came close to upsetting the Australian Diamonds, losing 54-50, in the opening match of the Quad Series.

The Silver Ferns will now play England in Auckland on Wednesday night – GET TICKETS