IN their 100^th meeting it was New Zealand that got up with a 15 goal victory over England in a strong defensive showing (62-47). The Ferns burst out of the blocks before the Roses matched their intensity across the court, however a blistering second quarter enabled them to create some separation and continue that theme in the second half to make it a clean sweep for the Taini Jamison Trophy.

It was a topsy turvy start to the game with held balls and turnovers galore marring the opening minutes of the term. Kelly Jury got her first start for the series and had an immediate impact coming out for an intercept and applying hands over pressure on the shot to throw George Fisher off the scent. The timing from Maia Wilson was paramount with the goal shooter popping out in the nick of time and delivering. The Roses slotted their first goal of the game with a little over four minutes to play with Fisher holding strong under the post despite the double team of Jane Watson and Jury. The speed of transitional play from the Ferns was impressive as bullet passes down the court enabled them to bypass the hands over pressure from the Roses and score. Claire Kersten came out with a real point to prove showcasing her hustle across the court and desperation to win every ball, often throwing her body on the line. It was neck and neck for most of the term with both sides taking it in turns to bring the ball down the court and score such was the intensity and close marking. Defensively the Ferns were on song as Watson and Jury picked up a wealth of ball and forced turnovers while a big intercept from Karin Burger saw the Ferns break the Roses’ stride and create a handy two goal buffer heading into the first change.

The hustle and bustle continued in the second term with every pass contested. Ameliaranne Ekenasio controlled the tempo inside the goal circle for the Ferns but within the blink of an eye England showcased their grit and determination to level the scores. Gina Crampton showcased her spatial awareness to drive out wide and then hit the circle edge while up the other end Laura Malcolm was working in overdrive for the Roses to secure prime position at the top of the circle. The Ferns really started to kick into gear midway through the term pushing out to a four goal lead as Jury continued to prove a menace down back with her rangy arms to disrupt play. Fran Williams was not afraid to put her body on the line riding Ekenasio while Razia Quashie highlighted her defensive nous to turn her body inside out and pick up a stellar intercept. Youngster Sophie Drakeford-Lewis was in fine form, with her range on-song and playmaking skills allowing her to dictate play in the attacking third. There were changes aplenty as the clock ticked down and the Roses shuffled the bibs around with Eleanor Cardwell donning the goal shooter bib and Yasmin Parsons the wing attack bib. Quashie seemed to have the ball on a string reeling in multiple intercepts however that did not seem to faze New Zealand with the injection of speedster Whitney Souness and the accuracy of Wilson and Ekenasio paying dividends.

Holding a seven-goal lead at half time the Ferns well and truly put the foot down in the third to score four goals straight and assert themselves. The ball placement from Souness was almost impossible to stop with the nippy wing attack carving up the court. Extending their lead to 13 goals New Zealand seemed rejuvenated as Watson contested every pass that came her way and most importantly won ball back for the Ferns. There was an increased intensity from the Ferns as they stifled the Roses movement and made light work of their defensive unit credit to their read of the play and perfectly placed passes. Fisher re-entered the game as Cardwell moved out to goal attack but the Ferns defenders had them covered before Fisher flexed her defensive attributes to collect an intercept. Staring down the barrel of a 14 goal deficit the Roses made a couple of changes as Malcolm pulled on the wing attack bib once again and Vicki Oyesola made her way onto court in goal defence. England rekindled their intensity and dynamism in attack slotting five goals straight to steadily eat into the margin and get it back to within 10 as Amy Carter worked in overdrive through the centre. Defensively they kicked it up a notch with their hands over pressure forcing turnovers and their ability to capitalise under the post impressive. The Roses somewhat settled able to weather the storm of the Ferns and work their way back into the contest through their precise ball movement and a strong backend of the term.

The tried and tested combination of Ekenasio and Kersten was impressive to watch as the duo spotted one another with great ease to create one-two plays. A couple of untidy errors from both sides started to come into play in the final term as passes slipped through their hands however the Ferns continued to motor and ride the defensive wave the Roses were applying. Sulu Fitzpatrick found herself out in the unfamiliar position of goal defence and did not disappoint bringing the ball down court with great ease and conviction to deliver into the circle. Up by a handy 15 goals, Monica Falkner switched on to goal attack but the changes did not stop there as Sam Winders and Shannon Saunders both entered the game for the final minutes. New Zealand continued their steady pace weaving the ball down the court and combated the fresh legs of Gabby Marshall and Williams to run out with a convincing 15-goal win.

Fisher was the prominent scorer for the Roses walking away with 26 goals from 28 attempts at 93 per cent while Cardwell played a strong role with 14 from 17. For the Ferns, Wilson’s efforts were unmatched as the young goaler starred nailing 44 goals from 47 attempts at 94 per cent and Ekenasio showcased her accuracy at 94 per cent with 17 goals to her name. Kersten led all comers when it came to goal assists with 27 and the next closest Malcolm with 20. Down back, Quashie racked up the intercepts collecting four along with two gains while Watson managed four gains, one of which an intercept, and was nicely complemented by Jury who recorded three intercepts, two deflections and two rebounds.

STARTING SEVEN: 

New Zealand:

GS: Maia Wilson
GA: Ameliaranne Ekenasio
WA: Gina Crampton
C: Claire Kersten
WD: Karin Burger
GD: Jane Watson
GK: Kelly Jury

England:

GS: George Fisher
GA: Sophie Drakeford-Lewis
WA: Laura Malcolm
C: Gabby Marshall
WD: Jade Clarke
GD: Fran Williams
GK: Razia Quashie