Strong second half paves big win for Silver Ferns
July 26, 2015
Laura Langman and South Africa's Bongiwe Msomi during the first Test.
The Silver Ferns delivered a strong second half to take control of the first Test of the New World Netball Series against the SPAR Proteas with a 68-44 win in Hamilton on Sunday.
In the end, the Silver Ferns ran away to a comfortable win following a dynamic third quarter but were made to work hard by the competitive South Africans during the first half.
Against the number six team in the world, the second-ranked Silver Ferns lacked cohesion and their links through court during the opening half. Coached by former world championship-winning Australian coach Norma Plummer, the visitors showed plenty of improvement with a plucky outing and some impressive individual performances.
Lifting across all areas of the court, the Silver Ferns turned on a more telling second half, adjusting their game accordingly with their sharp and quick ball movement resulting in improved consistency and accuracy.
Looking to consolidate and develop their new-look combinations with the World Cup in Sydney less than two weeks away, the Silver Ferns employed similar tactics to last week’s one-off Test against the Fiji Pearls with Shannon Francois starting at centre and Laura Langman wing defence.
Jodi Brown got the nod at goal attack in partnering Bailey Mes under the hoop as the home team shot away to a quick start. The Silver Ferns full court defence had the SPAR Proteas in early trouble as the home team skipped out quickly to an 8-2 lead before the visitors’ found their feet.
Finding their groove on attack, the shooting combination of Lenize Potgieter and captain Maryka Holtzhausen were prominent in helping theSPAR Proteas finish the quarter with a slick and accurate showing to leave the Silver Ferns with a 16-9 lead at the first break.
Continuing to grow in confidence, theSPAR Proteas turned in an impressive second quarter to match the Silver Ferns in all facets.
Finding space on attack, Potgieter, the youngest player in the South African team, continued to command respect under the hoop where she was well served by the experienced Holtzhausen and the vision of wing attack Bongiwe Msomi. At the other end, goal defence Karla Mostert was a constant threat in turning over Silver Ferns ball.
The Silver Ferns defenders struggled to get any turnover ball off the visitors as the SPAR Proteas produced a telling spell to close the gap to one on the back of six unanswered goals.
Showing greater urgency, the Silver Ferns delivered a strong finishing burst to retain their seven-goal margin when taking a 31-24 lead into the main break.
Coinciding with the introduction of Leana de Bruin (goal defence) playing against her country of birth, Kayla Cullen (wing defence) and Langman reverting to centre, the Silver Ferns lifted their intensity levels with a strong showing during the third stanza.
Langman’s speed on attack added extra thrust as the forward momentum picked up, the connections finding more flow as the Silver Ferns assumed a measure of control. Enjoying the speed of delivery, Mes and Brown provided the accuracy under the hoop.
At the other end, the height of Cullen on the outside of the circle and the long reach of de Bruin unsettled the SPAR Proteas’ shooters. The lift in pace and intensity paid off as the Silver Ferns outscored theSPAR Proteas 21-10 to take a healthy 52-34 lead into the last break.
The second and final Test of the New World Netball Series for the Taini Jamison Trophy will be held at The Trusts Arena, Auckland, on Tuesday.
MVP: Lenize Potgieter (SPAR Proteas)
Quarter-by-quarter scores:
Silver Ferns: Q1: 16 – Q2: 31 (15) – Q3: 52 (21) – Q4: 68 (16)
SPAR Proteas: Q1: 9 – Q2: 24 (15) – Q3: 34 (10) – Q4: 44 (10)
Shooting Statistics
SILVER FERNS: 68/82 @ 83%
Bailey Mes: 36/43 @ 84%
Jodi Brown: 32/39 @ 82%
SPAR PROTEAS: 43/53 @ 83%
Lenize Potgieter: 39/43 @ 91%
Maryka Holtzhausen: 5/10 @ 50%
Starting line-ups
SILVER FERNS: GS Bailey Mes, GA Jodi Brown, WA Grace Rasmussen, C Shannon Francois, WD Laura Langman, GD Katrina Grant, GK Casey Kopua.
SPAR PROTEAS: GS Lenize Potgieter, GA Maryka Holtzhausen, WA Bongiwe Msomi, C Erin Burger, WD Precious Mthembu, GD Karla Mostert, GK Adele Niemand.
Positional Changes
SILVER FERNS
Q3: C Laura Langman, WD Kayla Cullen, GD Leana de Bruin
SPAR PROTEAS
Q3: WD Rochelle Lawson, C Izette Lubbe
Q4: WA Izette Lubbe, C Erin Burger, GK Precious Mthembu | GD Precious Mthembu, GK Karla Mostert | GD Karla Mostert, GK Precious Mthembu
In the end, the Silver Ferns ran away to a comfortable win following a dynamic third quarter but were made to work hard by the competitive South Africans during the first half.
Against the number six team in the world, the second-ranked Silver Ferns lacked cohesion and their links through court during the opening half. Coached by former world championship-winning Australian coach Norma Plummer, the visitors showed plenty of improvement with a plucky outing and some impressive individual performances.
Lifting across all areas of the court, the Silver Ferns turned on a more telling second half, adjusting their game accordingly with their sharp and quick ball movement resulting in improved consistency and accuracy.
Looking to consolidate and develop their new-look combinations with the World Cup in Sydney less than two weeks away, the Silver Ferns employed similar tactics to last week’s one-off Test against the Fiji Pearls with Shannon Francois starting at centre and Laura Langman wing defence.
Jodi Brown got the nod at goal attack in partnering Bailey Mes under the hoop as the home team shot away to a quick start. The Silver Ferns full court defence had the SPAR Proteas in early trouble as the home team skipped out quickly to an 8-2 lead before the visitors’ found their feet.
Finding their groove on attack, the shooting combination of Lenize Potgieter and captain Maryka Holtzhausen were prominent in helping the
Continuing to grow in confidence, the
Finding space on attack, Potgieter, the youngest player in the South African team, continued to command respect under the hoop where she was well served by the experienced Holtzhausen and the vision of wing attack Bongiwe Msomi. At the other end, goal defence Karla Mostert was a constant threat in turning over Silver Ferns ball.
The Silver Ferns defenders struggled to get any turnover ball off the visitors as the SPAR Proteas produced a telling spell to close the gap to one on the back of six unanswered goals.
Showing greater urgency, the Silver Ferns delivered a strong finishing burst to retain their seven-goal margin when taking a 31-24 lead into the main break.
Coinciding with the introduction of Leana de Bruin (goal defence) playing against her country of birth, Kayla Cullen (wing defence) and Langman reverting to centre, the Silver Ferns lifted their intensity levels with a strong showing during the third stanza.
Langman’s speed on attack added extra thrust as the forward momentum picked up, the connections finding more flow as the Silver Ferns assumed a measure of control. Enjoying the speed of delivery, Mes and Brown provided the accuracy under the hoop.
At the other end, the height of Cullen on the outside of the circle and the long reach of de Bruin unsettled the SPAR Proteas’ shooters. The lift in pace and intensity paid off as the Silver Ferns outscored the
The second and final Test of the New World Netball Series for the Taini Jamison Trophy will be held at The Trusts Arena, Auckland, on Tuesday.
MVP: Lenize Potgieter (SPAR Proteas)
Quarter-by-quarter scores:
Silver Ferns: Q1: 16 – Q2: 31 (15) – Q3: 52 (21) – Q4: 68 (16)
Shooting Statistics
SILVER FERNS: 68/82 @ 83%
Bailey Mes: 36/43 @ 84%
Jodi Brown: 32/39 @ 82%
SPAR PROTEAS: 43/53 @ 83%
Lenize Potgieter: 39/43 @ 91%
Maryka Holtzhausen: 5/10 @ 50%
Starting line-ups
SILVER FERNS: GS Bailey Mes, GA Jodi Brown, WA Grace Rasmussen, C Shannon Francois, WD Laura Langman, GD Katrina Grant, GK Casey Kopua.
Positional Changes
SILVER FERNS
Q3: C Laura Langman, WD Kayla Cullen, GD Leana de Bruin
SPAR PROTEAS
Q3: WD Rochelle Lawson, C Izette Lubbe
Q4: WA Izette Lubbe, C Erin Burger, GK Precious Mthembu | GD Precious Mthembu, GK Karla Mostert | GD Karla Mostert, GK Precious Mthembu