Netball: Fatigue catches up with netball squad

Coach Georgina Salter had no excuses for New Zealand's form reversal when they ended up with the wooden spoon at the end of the quadrangular under-21 netball tournament in Sheffield, England, yesterday.

The New Zealanders slumped to a 58-44 loss to England in the play-off for third after comprehensively beating the same opponents 68-48 two days ago.

In an all-Australian final, the under-21 team beat their Institute of Sport 58-40 to end the tournament unbeaten.

"They were trying very hard, they knew what they had to do but they were just doing it all in slow motion," Salter said of the New Zealand team.

"We had to sit and watch them self-destruct, really."

Ending the first quarter at 10-10, there was ample evidence of what was to follow after the New Zealanders squandered 12 interceptions and the opportunity to take a grip on the game.

Captain Adine Harper, who had been a model of consistency throughout the tour, exemplified the lack of control by the team when she was pulled for stepping at least once every quarter.

After the first quarter it was all downhill with the New Zealanders trailing 26-20 at halftime and 41-33 at the three-quarter mark.

The attack end proved the downfall with the approach to the shooting circle lacking coordination.

Sensing the players' tiredness after an arduous tour, Salter used all 12 players with little effect.

"It was a very, very hard tour but it's been really good for them," said Salter. "We came here to develop and we have done that. We have pushed the players beyond what they thought they were capable of."

The England and Australian players were more hardened and physically fitter than New Zealand, who were relative newcomers to touring and international exposure.

The tour had revealed the planning and areas that need to be worked on before July's World Youth Cup in Wales. While the door was not completely closed, Salter said the team who toured Britain had the inside running for Wales.

The team arrive back in New Zealand tomorrow.

- NZPA