Netball: One-way traffic for Ferns

By Richard Boock

CHRISTCHURCH - Only in netball. Northern Ireland were swamped by 66 goals at the world championships yesterday and promptly pronounced themselves delighted with the result.

Caught in the path of New Zealand's title crusade, the Irish were demolished 92-26 by the tournament hosts, their most notable achievements including a three-goal final quarter, and a six-and-a-half minute period in which they failed to score.

The Silver Ferns were in such command that their opponents were restricted to just 44 attempts at goal (against 123), and were unable to achieve either of their pre-match targets - to keep New Zealand under 80, or to score 30 goals against them.

"Anyone who reads that result back in Belfast will be appalled," coach Marion Lofthouse said afterwards. "But we're very happy with our effort, all things considered."

One of the worst-resourced sides at the championships, Northern Ireland cannot afford to tour England, let alone any other parts of the world, and the squad members had to raise $5400 each to make the trip to New Zealand.

For captain Jenny Bradley - who is to be married in three weeks - that means going without a honeymoon because she will have neither enough money nor annual leave after the tournament.

Lofthouse said these sort of factors meant Northern Ireland had a slightly more informal approach to life at the championships, as there was an obligation to make the tournament enjoyable when the players had taken leave from work and funded the campaign from their own pockets.

"There's even an obligation to give everyone court-time and make sure everyone has a run, which is in stark contrast to the top sides, who might have several players hardly getting on at all.

"But it's pretty difficult for us to tell someone who's paid their own money to get here that they're not playing."

The Silver Ferns led 21-9 after 15 minutes, 44-17 at half-time and 67-23 at the three-quarter mark, and celebrated Julie Seymour's 50th test cap with a 25-3 romp in the last quarter to post the highest score of the tournament.

With Donna Loffhagen rested, New Zealand's best shooter was Adine Harper who hit 79 per cent (27/34), with Teresa Tairi converting 77 per cent (46/59) and captain Belinda Colling just 63 per cent (19/30).

Australia meanwhile, remain unbeaten at the top of Pool A after overcoming a courageous challenge from Fiji 69-30, with Jamaica and England just one win behind.

New Zealand, who square off against Barbados this afternoon, are similarly positioned at the top of Pool B, ahead of South Africa (who beat Wales last night) and the Cook Islands.

Today's main draw:

Cook Islands v Northern Ireland, 8.45am; Jamaica v Fiji,10.30am; Trinidad and Tobago v Wales, 12.15pm; Australia v USA, 2pm; New Zealand v Barbados, 3.45pm; South Africa v Canada, 5.30pm; England v Samoa, 7.30pm.