ENGLAND has got its visit to New Zealand off to the perfect start, defeating the Silver Ferns 59 goals to 58 in a hard fought first test of the Taini Jamison Trophy.

After a bit of a chaotic start to the game, the Silver Ferns got off to a strong start and put the first two goals on the board. However, the Roses then fought back and put the next three on the board.

Momentum continued to swing throughout the rest of the quarter as the lead changed several times.

Ultimately New Zealand were the leaders at quarter time by the smallest of margins, but considering the Kiwis had fought back in the final minutes to take the lead back was a sign of how the quarter had progressed.

The Silver Ferns were able to maintain its slim lead early in the second term, really exploiting the height advantage they had in attack to find Grace Nweke at post with pretty consistent ease, despite the aerial danger Funmi Fadoju was presenting.

But as the Roses got into the quarter, they really became more composed in attack, not rushing their passes into their shooters and as such were able to eliminate the deficit.

Proceedings remained tight as the second term, with the lead again changing hands multiple times as momentum continued to swing and neither side to could afford to let their concentration slip.

England ultimately won the quarter by a goal to see the match level at 29 goals apiece at the main break.

Both sides slightly tweaked their mid courts at the main break, and initially it seemed to benefit New Zealand with the home side taking the early third quarter lead, but it did not last long as England levelled back up again soon after.

England then went on to have a five goal run in the middle of the term, before New Zealand wrestled back momentum in the back end of the term, but ultimately the English took a one goal lead into the final break.

Ultimately this was the defining quarter as the final quarter was tied, which meant that England held on for a confidence boosting win. New Zealand did have the last goal of the match but ran out of time to get another to tie up the match.

For the Roses Fadoju was on fire, finishing with a game high five gains. Helen Housby also had a strong game, really working hard in the feeds as well as under the ring, and she was well assisted in the feeds department by Imogen Allison.

Meanwhile for the Silver Ferns Kelly Jackson again dominated the gains, and was ably assisted by Karin Burger.

NEW ZEALAND              15 | 14 | 15 | 14 (58)
ENGLAND                        14 | 15 | 16 | 14 (59)

STARTING SEVENS

New Zealand:

GS: Grace Nweke

GA: Ameliaranne Ekenasio

WA: Kimiora Poi

C: Maddy Gordon

WD: Kate Heffernan

GD: Karin Burger

GK: Kelly Jackson

England:

GS: Olivia Tchine

GA: Helen Housby

WA: Lois Pearson

C: Imogen Alison

WD: Beth Cobden

GD: Funmi Fadoju

GK: Fran Williams