Series decider for Silver Ferns after England win second test

The Silver Ferns face a winner-takes-all last match of their Northern Tour after England bounced back to square the Vitality Netball International Series with a 61-58 win in the second test in London on Sunday (UK time).  

 

Needing to win the match to keep the series alive, a strong third quarter put the Roses in a position to mirror the Silver Ferns scoreline of the first test but not before a dramatic fourth quarter delivered opportunities for both teams to take the win.

Trailing by four heading into the last quarter, the women in black made the best possible start when charging back and scoring the first four goals to level the scores.

England broke the ensuing goal-for-goal exchange with a dogged defensive display, enterprising attacking play and the nerveless shooting of Helen Housby and Olivia Tchne. The Silver Ferns faltered in the big moments where they lacked the accuracy and clinical delivery to keep England honest.

The Silver Ferns defenders were unable to get ball off the England shooters, who grew in confidence through the last quarter while setting up the impetus for the third and deciding test in Manchester on Thursday at 8am (NZ time).

Following the quick turnaround, having played less than 24 hours earlier, the Silver Ferns lacked the same accuracy as England, despite another strong effort from shooter Grace Nweke (51 goals for the match) and the ever-present Maddy Gordon at wing attack.

The Silver Ferns tweaked their starting seven with the well-performed duo of Kimiora Poi (centre) and Gordon getting the nod as the midcourt pairing while Georgia Heffernan retained the goal attack bib.

For England, Amy Carter, who came on strongly for the second half of the first test, got the start at centre with Jess Shaw moving up court to wing attack.

With both sides employing big defensive efforts from the outset, patience was required to thread the ball through court where every play was keenly contested.

In similar fashion to the first test, there was little between the teams with plenty of nip and tuck as the pair vied for the early initiative. The Silver Ferns were guilty of forcing the ball into Nweke on occasion while at the other end, veteran shooter Housby and Tchne combined expertly to share the load under the England hoop.

Late intercepts from Kate Heffernan and Kelly Jackson helped the Silver Ferns nudge into a 13-12 lead the first break.

Showing good movement on attack with Poi and Gordon leading the charge, the Silver Ferns made a promising start to burst out to a four-goal lead on the back of pin-point delivery to shooting ace Nweke.

Despite the constant hustle from both sides defensively, the teams did an admirable job of retaining possession in the long passages of goal-for-goal exchanges.

With captain Fran Williams moving across court to goal defence and Beth Cobden coming on at wing defence, England struck back strongly to level the scores before nipping into the lead.

Once again, Nweke’s strength in the air proved decisive, and with Kate Heffernan producing another lively outing at wing defence, the Silver Ferns swung back into the lead while keeping England at arms-length to take a 29-27 lead into the main break.

The injection of Lois Pearson at wing attack helped England turn the tables in a big third quarter for the hosts. At the defence end, the Roses were expert at forcing the long ball from the Silver Ferns, and resulting intercept opportunities.

Pearson found her range with some quality ball into Tchne and Housby, who with space and confidence continued to nail opportunities. Looking to stem the flow and provide more impetus on attack, the Silver Ferns introduced Mila Reuelu-Buchanan to centre.

But the visitors were unable to halt England’s flow or disruptive defensive efforts, the Roses with all the momentum when they won the quarter by six to take a 46-42 lead into the last break.