Netball: Ferns face challenging semi

New Zealand are to face Australia in the semifinals of netball's FastNet world series in Manchester after suffering a win and a loss yesterday.

The Silver Ferns lost 25-22 to Australia but bounced back with a 34-14 drubbing of Samoa to place third after the round-robin phase of the three-day tournament.

That leaves them with a testing rematch against second-placed Australia while top-qualifiers England will play Jamaica in the other semi.

The playoff matches and the final are scheduled for early this morning.

England maintained their unbeaten record with a 25-19 defeat of Australia in the last qualifying match.

The hosts appear to have adjusted best to the rules being used at the six-nation tournament, with matches comprising four six-minute quarters, while allowing rolling substitutions and goals scored outside the circle worth two points.

Each team nominates one quarter as a power play, where goals are worth double, and goals scored outside the circle are worth four.

The Silver Ferns trailed Australia 16-10 at halftime before both teams employed their power play in the third quarter.

New Zealand edged that stanza 6-4 but were undone by a superb shot from outside the circle by Susan Pratley.

Veteran goal shoot Irene van Dyk didn't play, with Paula Griffith and Maria Tutaia employed in the attacking circle, with mixed returns. Griffin shot 10 from 12 and Tutaia eight from 13. Captain Casey Williams was an inspirational figure in defence.

There wasn't the same pressure in the Samoa match as the Silver Ferns led early and were never threatened.

New Zealand opened their campaign yesterday with wins over Malawi and Jamaica but a 24-21 loss to England.

- NZPA