Netball: Van Dyk's night as Ferns hit best form

Silver Ferns' shooter Irene van Dyk nails another goal against Australia last night. Photo / Richard Robinson

Silver Ferns 52
Australia 36

The Silver Ferns helped Irene van Dyk celebrate her 100th test for New Zealand in style, restoring some pride to their disappointing season with an impressive win in their final test against Australia last night.

The Ferns produced their most complete performance of the year in a 16-goal win over the Diamonds.

The convincing win left many wondering where this performance has been all season.

Picking a player of the match for the Ferns was difficult, as the entire line-up played stunning netball.

Inspirational captain Casey Williams and her defensive partner Katrina Grant shut down the Australian shooting circle, Joline Henry and Laura Langman toiled away all night in the midcourt, and the attack end played their most confident and polished game this season.

But it was the lady of the night, van Dyk, who was named MVP for a brilliant in-goal performance.

The fact Australia had wrapped up the series with a one-goal win last Sunday cast something of a dampener on van Dyk's centennial test.

But Netball New Zealand ensured van Dyk, only the second Silver Fern to reach the century, received the plaudits she deserved.

Van Dyk took the court to a standing ovation from her team and wild cheers from the 7000-strong crowd at Vector Arena.

The emotion of the occasion reduced her to tears.

She was also honoured in a post-match presentation by Netball New Zealand chief executive Raelene Castle, while film of van Dyk through the years played on the big screen.

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken said the team were motivated by van Dyk's milestone, but were also determined to finish on a high note after some scratchy performances.

"I'm sure the team responded for her, but they also responded for the team and for New Zealand," Aitken said.

"We wanted to show New Zealand the way we could play; we realised we haven't done that consistently enough."

Despite the pre-match emotion, the Ferns settled quickly into their game, playing at greater intensity from the opening whistle.

Their through-court defence was particularly impressive, picking off ball after ball in the Australian attacking third, capitalising on the lack of understanding between the new Australian midcourt combination of Natalie von Bertouch and Lauren Nourse.

Trailing by two at the first break, the Diamonds quickly changed their midcourt, bringing Kimberlee Green, a starter in the last three tests, on at wing-attack.

The visitors initially struggled to adjust to the change and the Ferns attack immediately took advantage, rocketing to a 17-11 lead.

The midcourt defence continued to hassle and harry the visitors, and the Ferns had a commanding 28-18 lead at halftime.

The third spell descended into a scrappy affair as Australia looked increasingly frustrated by the weight of calls going against them - particularly on attack.

Diamonds captain Sharelle McMahon looked especially flustered and her game rapidly deteriorated, prompting Plummer to introduce a new shooting combination in the final spell, bringing on Catherine Cox and Natalie Medhurst.

But there was little the new pairing could do to stop the Silver Ferns.

Diamonds coach Norma Plummer said the heavy loss taught her young side a big lesson: "You can't ever go out there thinking you've got the game won."