Netball: Ferns pushed to the limit

By Suzanne McFadden

You could easily compare the Jamaican netball team to the Indian cricketers - at home they are 10 times the side they are anywhere else on the globe.

A year ago, Jamaica stunned the netball world by beating No 1 Australia. On Saturday they gave No 2 New Zealand a good, old-fashioned hurry-up in a 54-all draw.

Both tests were in Kingston, with local umpires and screaming Jamaican fans.

Away from home, at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur last September, Jamaica finished an unmemorable fifth, and were pummelled by the Aussies.

After their loss, the Australians recovered to win their next two tests in Jamaica, a good omen for the Silver Ferns going into their last tour game today.

Still, the Silver Ferns must wake up and toughen up for their second test after a very lethargic display. They could have blamed jetlag, five months off, inconsistent umpire calls or the deafening crowd.

But the Ferns say they just had a bad day as they came up against in-your-face tactics by Jamaica and their lanky goal-shoot Elaine Davis.

Davis played at the Commonwealth Games, but the Silver Ferns do not remember her as being anything special.

But on Saturday, she shot an incredible 46 from 49 attempts. Ferns defender Bernice Mene said Davis frustrated the New Zealand defence.

"Both Linda [Vagana] and I were jumping our socks off to try to stop her, but we couldn't do a thing," Mene said. "She's six foot three, but I'm sure she's a Jamaican high jumper in disguise. They fed her very well. I think we have to attack further up the court next time."

Jamaica's tactics were similar to those employed by South Africa when they surprised New Zealand at the last world championships - a short, slow game through the midcourt topped off with a huge lob to a tall shooter under the post. Ferns coach Yvonne Willering compared Davis to South Africa's legendary shooter Irene van Dyk.

But the New Zealanders' disappointing shooting at the opposite end was equally to blame for the draw.

Goal-shoots Donna Loffhagen and Teresa Tairi, sharing half a game each, both missed 10 shots. New Zealand had more possession, but the shooters were reluctant to put up long shots and the midcourt were hesitant with their passes.

New Zealand could have won the match in the final moments, but Tairi missed with a penalty shot. However, Willering wasn't blaming the North Harbour player.

"I went straight away to her and said she didn't cost us the game," she said.

"There were many other shots missed, intercepts missed throughout the game and while we tend to focus on the last few seconds really the game is about 60 minutes.

"It's a learning experience. The players have sold themselves short, they have to readdress the issues and make sure when they take the court they stick to the game plans and are true to themselves as well.

"When you get bumped, you've got to toughen up and take it. The players looked tired - all the travelling has caught up with a few of them. But, hey, it's not the end of the world."

The Silver Ferns return home following today's test, after a week-long, three-match tour. It may seem a long way to go for a warm-up for a one-off test against Australia in three weeks, but Willering is confident that they have done the right thing.

"This is the only opportunity we'll have to play against the Caribbean style before the world championships in October," Willering said. "We may have to play them in the semis. So for that reason, this tour will be worthwhile."