England Roses (48) defeated by New Zealand (64)

IT was a comprehensive victory for the Silver Ferns knocking over the England Roses by 16 goals in the first game of the Nations Cup. Both sides struggled to find their momentum in the opening minutes of the quarter with scrappy plays across the court and errant passes, but once New Zealand settled they did not look back. Their connections in each third were on full display and capitalised against the inexperienced Roses defensive unit making for a comfortable win.

New Zealand tried out a host of different combinations with captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Maia Wilson doing the damage in the goal circle in the first quarter. Although the goal attack did not apply a heap of scoreboard pressure Ekenasio did a wealth of work out the front to bring the ball down the court and set up Wilson who nailed 12 goals straight in the opening term. While the Ferns front end was humming, the Roses struggled to have the same affect with experienced goaler Kadeen Corbin unable to find her range, shooting at 50 per cent with two goals from four attempts, leaving Eleanor Cardwell to do the heavy lifting. Cardwell proved to be a strong target under the post with nine goals but it was not enough, against the defensive duo of Jane Watson and Phoenix Karaka who were constantly on the move and denying any easy ball movement down the court.

England fought back in the second to win the quarter 14 to 13 but New Zealand still held the lead heading into half-time. The Roses rejigged their attacking end with George Fisher pulling on the goal shooter bib and having an immediate impact. Her height, clever footwork and accuracy to post paid dividends for England despite only shooting four goals. But her presence allowed Cardwell to push out to goal attack and ply her trade there, piling on 10 goals of her own. The changes did not stop there with the Roses shaking things up in defence switching Kate Shimmin into goal keeper and moving Stacey Francis out to goal defence in hope to stop the quick transition and to apply more physical pressure on the ball carrier down the court. Ekenasio upped her output in the second quarter posting nine goals thanks to her impressive timing and silky movement and was unfazed by the introduction of goal shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit with the two rotating through the circle with ease and creating clever screens to allow easy avenues to goal.  Wing defence Karin Burger showcased her defensive skills picking up three deflections and an intercept to keep her side in front.

After a slow second quarter, the Ferns brought the heat in the third piling on a whopping 20 goals to 13 to all but seal the deal. Both sides rung in the changes with New Zealand coming out on top thanks to Bailey Mes (11 from 12) and Wilson owning the circle. The duo proved hard to stop thanks to Mes’ athleticism and Wilson’s height forcing the Roses to look to the bench with Razia Quashie entering the game to help combat Wilson under the post. The midcourt combination between Whitney Souness and Shannon Saunders stood up after half time with the two making the most of their opportunities to feed the ball into the goalers. Souness really came to life in the third finding good space circle edge and using her ball speed to penetrate through the Roses defence. With Saunders lifting her game, opposing centre Jade Clarke did the same with the experienced midcourter running hard both ways and delivering well-executed passes into the circle.  Despite their best efforts England simply could not keep up with the Ferns who had well and truly kicked into gear and were picking them apart bit by bit.

In the final role of the dice, the Roses had a slight overhaul with Chelsea Pitman coming on into wing attack while Fran Williams and Amy Carter made a brief appearance despite it being a little too late. Pitman brought her consistent and no-nonsense attitude while Carter provided some fresh legs through the midcourt. Laura Malcolm worked tirelessly throughout the match in wing defence unbothered by the frequent changes with Gina Crampton re-entering the game in the fourth quarter for the Ferns. Crampton was crafty with ball in hand while Kimiora Poi also took the court for the final 15 minutes and had a lasting impact. The defensive combination of the Ferns remained the same throughout the game highlighting just how damaging they can be, able to shut down avenues to goal with ease and pick off passes making them a forced to be reckoned with.

Wilson top-scored for both sides with 27 goals from 29 attempts at 93 per cent despite coming off in the final term to allow Selby-Rickit to take control under the post with 14 from 16 at 88 per cent. Cardwell led the charge for England with 25 goals from 31 attempts.