Netball: Silver Ferns complete clean sweep

World netball champions New Zealand completed a predictable clean sweep against England winning the third test 55-40 in Invercargill tonight.

Following a 34-goal hiding in Wednesday's second test, a rejuvenated England side started the final match with more fire, but the Silver Ferns mid-court again proved the difference while England's shooters were too inconsistent.

New Zealand turned their first quarter 15-12 lead into 28-17 at halftime, and while England improved their scoring in the third quarter New Zealand still led 43-29.

Despite the visitors' strong start, they could not maintain momentum, but did post their best score of the series after losing the first test 52-30.

For New Zealand, under fire goal defence Jodi Te Huna returned her best shooting effort of the series, while skipper Adine Wilson at wing attack and centre Temepara George produced strong performances.

George was named player of the match and Wilson player of the series.

Despite the clean sweep, Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken was not entirely impressed with tonight's game in front of a packed house at Stadium Southland after a mixed performance.

"I'm pleased with winning the series three-nil, but not happy with tonight," Aitken said.

"It was a good healthy reality check for us and it won't allow us to become complacent over the coming months."

Aitken fielded her third different defensive pairing of the series with Vilimaina Davu starting at goal keep and Sheryl Scanlan at goal defence.

The only other change from the 74-30 thumping in the second test was Victoria Edward at wing defence.

England started the first quarter positively breaking to an early lead with goal shoot Rachel Greig finding her range.

The influence of England captain Olivia Murphy, who missed the second test whitewash in Wellington, was evident stabilising the mid-court defence which saw the visitors stay close to the world champions.

England scored their most goals in the first quarter than at any other time in the series and were down by just three.

England's encouraging start forced Aitken to make some substitutions in the second quarter with Laura Langman replacing Edward, and Anna Scarlett coming on for Scanlan.

New Zealand then started to pull away from England with prolific goal shoot Irene Van Dyk overcoming the earlier bustling defence of Geva Mentor and Sonia Mkoloma to improve her shooting percentage, while England's shooters fell off the pace.

The Silver Ferns bolted, outscoring the English 13-5 to take a comfortable halftime lead.

Aitken again tampered with her defence with Joline Henry taking the goal defence bib and Scarlett moving to goal keep, while for England Murphy shifted to wing attack and Karen Aspinall slotted in at centre in the third quarter.

More changes in the defence court were made for the final quarter with Scanlan returning to goal defence and Edward to wing defence.

"We just felt we needed more energy out there and we were a bit flat at times," Aitken said in response to the numerous changes.

The Silver Ferns' next test is a one-off match against Australia in June.

New Zealand 55 England 40. 1st quarter: 15-12, 2nd: 28-17, 3rd: 43-29, 4th: 55-40.

- NZPA