Netball: Little to be read into Ferns' victory

By RICHARD BOOCK

The New Zealand netballers followed up their recent debacle in Australia with a 42-goal win over Team Pasifika last night, again demonstrating their ability to rise to the small occasion.

Far from easing concerns after last week's capitulation in Newcastle, the Silver Ferns could take little satisfaction from the 77-35 win over Pasifika, who looked short on combination and fitness in the first match of the Fisher and Paykel Series.

In front of a less-than-capacity 2800-strong crowd at the ASB Stadium, New Zealand dominated in all areas of the court, but were still a shade hesitant in transition and will head to Palmerston North with question-marks remaining over the mid-court and their ability against top opposition.

New Zealand effectively wrapped up the game after taking the first quarter 16-8, and managed gradually to extend their advantage as the match wore on, dominating the second quarter 20-5 for a 36-13 lead at halftime, and rushing out to 57-23 at the three-quarter mark.

The hosts' starting lineup reflected some of the soul-searching since Newcastle, with Temepara George replacing Anna Rowberry at wing-attack, and Irene van Dyk teaming up with Adine Harper in the shooting circle.

While the new attacking line revelled in the extra space they were allowed, they struggled at times to strike a ready combination with the mid-court, despite the mountain of possession and the confidence of a runaway lead.

There was certainly more care evident in the way New Zealand advanced the ball, with possession occasionally recycled through the back-court rather than being forced into the circle, and it was also noticeable that the side were prepared to sacrifice speed in return for more control.

Yet for all that, the Pasifika defence lacked any sort of cohesion, relying mainly on the individual talents of players such as goal-keep Vilimaina Davu and wing-defence Sheryl Clarke, and were not a shadow of the Australian threat faced last week.

Pasifika started Monica Gabriel and Anna Tai in the shooting circle, with Amanda Dunlop, Coffin and Clarke running through the mid-court, and Davu and Ruta Tai in the back-court.

The composite side showed flashes of the style for which the Pacific Island teams are renowned, and brought passion and enthusiasm to their defensive effort, but found their biggest problem at the other end of the court, where New Zealand's defence proved typically formidable.

New Zealand 77 (van Dyk 43/58, Harper 34/47) Team Pasifika 35 (16-8, 36-13, 57-23).