Netball: Silver Ferns scrape into semifinals

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Defending champions New Zealand scraped into the semifinals of the second fastnet netball world series tournament in Liverpool as fourth best qualifiers after a loss to England and a draw with Jamaica in their final pool matches overnight.

The Silver Ferns, beaten 19-25 by Australia in their opening game yesterday, lost 24-26 to England before the 27-27 draw with Jamaica which put the Caribbean, victors also over England and Australia, at the top of the standings.

Tomorrow morning's (NZt) semifinals sees New Zealand, who have opted to rest their senior players from this tournament, play Jamaica and England take on Australia.

Malawi and South Africa will play off for fifth and sixth positions.

Under the fastnet format, games are played in six-minute quarters with unlimited substitutions.

The rules allow each team to nominate a power play quarter in which every goal scores double points, while successful shots from outside the circle throughout the game are worth two points.

The Silver Ferns started strongly against England but lapses in concentration and handling errors let England get into the game and lead two goals at the end of the first quarter.

New Zealand fought back to level 10-10 at halftime only to see England employ their power play in the third quarter and take a 22-16 lead at the end of it after both teams each scored six goals.

New Zealand used their power play for the final quarter but a tightened English defence stifled the flow of ball to their shooters to hold out for the narrow win.

The match against Jamaica was predictably physical. New Zealand trailed by one goal at the end of the first quarter but fought back to 12-12 at half time.

As with England, Jamaica took their power play in the third quarter and leapt out to a 27-17 lead. New Zealand, playing their power play card, fought back to outscore Jamaica 10-3 in the final quarter for a hard-earned draw.

- NZPA