A HUGE three international test matches between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and England Roses last week culminated in the Ferns lifting the Taini Jamison Trophy on Sunday, with a clean sweep over England who took the court in all three matches without a host of their experienced names. While the Ferns deserve full credit for the three straight victories, England was on the back foot returning to the court for the first time since the beginning of 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, while Kat Ratnapala took the helm with head coach Jess Thirlby forced to remain in the UK following a positive COVID test ahead of the series. Nevertheless, Draft Central delves into each of the three games, showcasing the player of the match and detailing the other top performers across each outing with changes aplenty made across both teams throughout.

GAME 1: New Zealand (58) defeated England (45)

Player of the Match: Sulu Fitzpatrick

It was an excellent first international showing from the Silver Ferns, with Sulu Fitzpatrick awarded her first start in at goal keeper and proving she is more than capable of holding down the fort in an exciting showing. An exciting hunter with plenty of classy traits, Fitzpatrick put her game face on and proved to be a force to be reckoned with from the get-go with her ability to play on-body and spread herself thin to force a timely intercept. Finishing with seven gains (three intercepts), Fitzpatrick was crucial for the Ferns defensive unit, allowing hunter Jane Watson to do what she does best and forcing errors from the Roses.

Watson raked in seven pickups to go with her four gains (two intercepts), while Gina Crampton starred on circle edge with 21 goal assists from 29 feeds, but tallied five general play turnovers. Maia Wilson (34 goals from 39 attempts) and Ameliaranne Ekenasio (24 from 26) were clinical and consistent as ever to post. Also among the top performers during match one were a couple of Roses, with youngster Sophie Drakeford-Lewis stepping up in her 45 minutes on court to lead the assist tally with 11 assists and five goals at 100 per cent, while both George Fisher (18 from 22) and Ellie Cardwell (15 from 17) were solid in the goal circle. Fran Williams came into her own throughout, finishing with four intercepts but led the court for penalties with 12 to her name.

GAME 2: New Zealand (54) defeated England (47)

Player of the Match: Laura Malcolm

Neither team left any stone unturned in the second match of the series, with England midcourter Laura Malcolm awarded MVP honours for her excellent effort racking up 18 goal assists from 28 feeds and seemingly always there for the next pass credit to her continuous gut-running and hunt for the ball. A player with plenty of tenacity and playing out of position in at wing attack, Malcolm never once looked out of her element and continuously propelled the ball forward, racking up some outstanding goal assists as she did so with excellent vision and ball placement into the goal circle.

In her 100th international cap, Serena Guthrie started out dominant as ever through the midcourt before going down with an ankle injury, seeing Malcolm hold firm out in wing attack and Jade Clarke step into centre, finishing with three deflections (zero gains) and effectively being a menace without the centurion on court. Drakeford-Lewis was excellent once more with 12 assists and 11 goals this time around, aiding both Cardwell (19 from 21) and Fisher (17 goals at 100 per cent) at the post. Razia Quashie was the one to watch in goal keeper with two intercepts and just seven penalties, while for the Ferns it was Kelly Jury in goal keeper who sparked the side into action in the final quarter, finishing with two intercepts. Fitzpatrick and Watson combined for nine gains, while Claire Kersten had an excellent match showcasing both her attacking and defensive attributes with 14 goal assists and two gains to her name. Wilson (38 from 41) and Ekenasio (16 from 18) continued their excellent run of form, rarely skipping a beat despite the tougher defensive pressure this time around.

GAME 3: New Zealand (62) defeated England (47)

Player of the Match: Maia Wilson

Wilson was one of the most convincing and consistent performers across all three matches, continuously plying her trade at the post and rarely putting a foot wrong. With plenty of confidence, accuracy, volume and clean hands to boot, the goal shooter stepped up once more in the final match to prove she is the goaler the Ferns will turn to down the line, putting up 44 goals from 47 attempts in the final match of the series alone. A clean player who has no issue finding the ball, Wilson elevated her game throughout the series, utilising her athleticism to pick the ball out of the air and great confidence to shoot from range.

Wilson’s partner in crime Ekenasio was also influential as ever with 17 goals in another accurate showing, but it was the outstanding effort of Kersten once more in this match that really stood out with the centre racking up a whopping 27 goal assists to top the competition, while also collecting an intercept. The defensive trio of Watson, Jury and Fitzpatrick was fantastic again, with the former two standing out with a combined 11 gains between them to round out an excellent shared defensive effort across the series. For the Roses, Fisher took the reins with 26 goals from 28 attempts while Cardwell (14 from 17) and Drakeford-Lewis (seven from eight) played great assisting roles once more, while Malcolm once again took charge with 20 goal assists and three pickups in Guthrie’s absence. Both Gabby Marshall and Clarke showcased their great defensive hunt with two intercepts apiece through the midcourt, while Quashie flipped the switch to finish the match with six gains (four intercepts).

–

When it comes to the top performers across the three matches overall, there is no doubt the form of both nations’ developing talent has to be commended with some of the heroes across the matches not the stalwart favourites, but instead the players with something to prove. For the Ferns, Wilson led the way while Kersten and Jury both impressed, as did Fitzpatrick while there is no stopping the likes of Ekenasio and Watson when they get going. For the Roses, it was ultimately the team of the future out on court, with Fisher and Drakeford-Lewis showcasing some exciting skills while Malcolm proved she should not being sitting on the sidelines, as did Quashie and Marshall.

–

Ratnapala pleased with England Roses’ depth

VNSL team features: Leeds Rhinos // London Pulse // Loughborough Lightning // Manchester Thunder // Severn Stars // Surrey Storm

ANZ Premiership player features: Winders keeping one eye on the future // Burger itching to get back out on court for Pulse