Netball: Ferns prickly over Roses

Coach Ruth Aitken doesn't believe England are the Silver Ferns' bogey team - but doesn't deny the English pose a significant threat to the defence of her charges' Commonwealth Games title in Delhi next year.

Their style might not be as sexy as the aggressive play from New Zealand's traditional rivals Australia, yet England's clean and clinical approach, based around defending space, has paid dividends against the Silver Ferns in recent years.

Aitken has flagged the failure to adapt to the English style as an area of concern.

"I think the fact we play Australia five times each year and in the ANZ Championship, we do adjust better to the Australian style. But in international competition, you play a different style each time. We do need to get better at adjusting to different styles," Aitken said.

It's a sentiment echoed by captain Casey Williams.

"We are in the process of learning to do that better," she said. "Analysing [England's style] will definitely be a part of our planning for the Commonwealth Games."

Friday's match in Bath was a pointed reminder for New Zealand. Despite the Silver Ferns having led for three quarters of the match, the score after regulation time was 51-all. In extra time New Zealand prevailed 65-59.

While next year's international programme has yet to be finalised, that was likely their final clash against England before heading to India.

Silver Fern shooter Irene van Dyk warned against using Friday's test as an accurate marker of form ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

"It's going to be a different campaign heading into Commonwealth Games."

While the Silver Ferns escaped defeat, it would be foolish to rule out England as a serious contender.

Aitken conceded 2007's 50-45 test loss in Manchester, last season's 40-38 loss in Dunedin, coupled with Friday's close call were clear evidence the English roses can be a thorny proposition.

"We have dropped a game against England each year for the past two years, but as for being a bogey team, it's a term that coaches try not to use because it represents never getting past it and I don't think that's the case. England showed they're fit and they are very talented," Aitken said.

Many top England players, including defenders Sonia Mkoloma and Geva Mentor, attackers Tamsin Greenway and Pamela Cookey have first-hand knowledge of the New Zealand style after time in the ANZ Championship.

Casey Williams realises information garnered from the transtasman competition will form part of England's attacking arsenal, further complemented by the coaching acumen of Sue Hawkins, former coach of the Auckland Diamonds.

NZ vs England
The last 10 tests:
*July 15, 2003,
Kingston, Jamaica
Silver Ferns won 60-41.

*March 12, 2005,
North Shore
Silver Ferns won 52-30.

*March 16, 2005,
Wellington
Silver Ferns won 74-30.

*March 19, 2005,
Invercargill
Silver Ferns won 55-40.

*March 22, 2006
Melbourne, Australia
Silver Ferns won 55-40.

*May 13, 2007
Manchester, England
England won 50-45.

*October 13, 2008
Auckland
Silver Ferns won 65-26.

*October 15, 2008
Dunedin
England won 40-38.

*October 18, 2008
Palmerston North
Silver Ferns won 61-22.

*October 16, 2009
Bath, England
Silver Ferns won 65-59.