Netball: Ferns made to fight for victory

Rhonda John-Davis of Trinidad & Tobago and Joline Henry of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand 75 Trinidad 23

The Silver Ferns are comfortably through to the quarter-finals of the world netball championships in Singapore after coming through pool play at least 52 goals better than any of their opponents.

New Zealand last night had their toughest hit-out yet of the round robin against a physical Trinidad and Tobago side, but the Ferns still ran out convincing 75-23 winners.

The Ferns will most likely meet South Africa in tomorrow's quarter-final, provided the Proteas beat Botswana in their match-up overnight, while Trinidad, having finished second in pool B booked themselves a quarter-final showdown against Caribbean neighbours Jamaica. The other quarter-final match-ups will see Australia, who finished top of pool A, face the colourful Malawi side, while England will meet Northern Ireland, who have been the surprise package
of the tournament thus far.

The Ferns, along with the rest of the top eight will have the day off today, and coach Ruth Aitken said after an intense few days of action the team would take the time to reflect on their opening games and plot the way forward.

"We have been keeping an eye on other teams during the week, so while they'll be resting up their legs we'll certainly be keeping their brains going," she said.

Aitken once again made use of her full squad in last night's final pool play match. She opted to start with what was close to their best line-up, with the exception of Liana Leota at wing attack in place of Temepara George, while Anna Scarlett got the one contestable in-circle defender role, alongside captain Casey Williams. But New Zealand rung in the changes at halftime to give their second string line-up a good run, and testing Temepara George at centre for
the first time this tournament.

"I'm confident that we've played just about every possible combination that we could going forward. So I think the team is in a really healthy place," said Aitken.

While Trinidad never challenged New Zealand on the scoreboard - a 14-0 start to the Ferns saw to that - it was the most defensive pressure the Kiwis have faced in the opening games. Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia had a torrid battle in the shooting circle in the first half against the Trinidad defensive pairing of Crystal Ann George and Kielle Connelly, who contested everything. The long arms and quick turn of speed of their midcourters also meant New Zealand
had to fight for every loose ball.

"It was awesome, because if we didn't go really hard at the ball, they took it off us and it is good to play against that physical presence and really come through," said Aitken, who last night equalled Lois Muir's long-standing record of 107 tests in charge of the Ferns.

The third day of pool play threw up the biggest surprise of the tournament with Northern Ireland securing their first quarter-finals appearance in the world championships after trouncing Samoa 66-37.

Northern Ireland didn't even qualify for the last world championships, with Scotland and Wales securing the two European qualifying spots for Auckland.

"We knew it would be a tough ask, but we fancied ourselves in our group and we just played and did the job," said Elaine Rice, the coach of Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland have fond memories of Singapore - their best finish at a world tournament was a seventh placing in 1983, but that was before quarter-finals were introduced to the format.

While they have never played in a world championship final series, Rice believes her side won't be overawed against England tomorrow.

"We have no fear. We have nothing to lose now, we've already improved on our ranking substantially, she said."