THE Silver Ferns picked up where they left off claiming an 11-goal win (67-58) over Jamaica in the grand final and ultimately securing the inaugural Nations Cup. Meanwhile South Africa and England played it out for third spot with the Roses coming up with the goods.

New Zealand (67) defeated Jamaica (58)

It was a tight opening half with both sides going toe-to-toe and not willing to give an inch before the game really opened up in the second half. Despite missing key players across the court, the Ferns proved they have plenty of depth and a wealth of options no matter what is thrown at them. On the other hand, Jamaica went with consistency hoping to build some type of pressure and allow the players exposure to as much court time as possible.

It is hard to deny that the combination between Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Maia Wilson will be one to watch in future games with the two posing a real threat in the goal circle. Their accuracy to post and sheer understanding is second to none with the two sensing the space and capitalising on every opportunity that came their way only missing two goals in the first term. Wing attack, Gina Crampton was solid for the Ferns identifying the space and delivering well weighted passes into the goalers. Accuracy proved to be the flavour of the quarter with Sunshine Girls shooting duo Jhaniele Fowler and Shanice Beckford sitting at 100 per cent. Fowler was the dominant shooter once again converting 12 goals straight while Beckford did the work out the front to feed the ball into her.

With only one goal separating them at quarter time Jamaica upped the ante in the second to go into half time level. New Zealand made a couple of changes through the midcourt and shuffled the defensive unit around a bit with centre Shannon Saunders pushed into wing defence. Collingwood Magpies recruit Jodi Ann Ward highlighted her impressive skillset with the Jamaican wing defence not skipping a beat, picking up two intercepts and two games in the second quarter alone. The overall defensive pressure increased from the Sunshine Girls while in the attacking end, Khadijah Williams plied her trade delivering crafty passes into the goalers.

Sitting at 30 goals apiece, New Zealand took their foot off the break and threw everything at Jamaica in the third term to take a commanding lead into the final change. The inclusion of Kimiora Poi and Whitney Souness through the midcourt offered plenty of speed and youth with the two darting around and hitting the circle edge with precision. Poi showed her more attacking craft during the third collecting eight goal assists while Souness followed suit with seven. Ekenasio and Wilson found their synergy once again after the captain struggled to have an impact on the scoreboard in the second. Defensively, goal keeper Jane Watson lifted her game, hunting the ball and making life hard for Fowler and Beckford. Watson racked up two gains, two intercepts and one deflection throughout the quarter highlighting her increased tenacity. Although Phoenix Karaka did not feature highly on the stats sheet, it was her work off the ball in the third that proved to be the difference, with the goal defence shutting down any space or avenue to goal.

With the title on the line, Jamaica was not about to go down without a fight with Shamera Sterling leading the way in the defensive circle. The talented defender used her feet and impressive wingspan to get hands to ball and disrupt the attacking play of the Ferns picking up two gains, one intercept and four deflections but it was not enough to change the route of the game. ward continued her strong form with another intercept and gain while Nicole Dixon was strong through the centre but no match for New Zealand. Wilson finished the game with an impressive 44 goals from 47 attempts at 94 per cent accuracy, while partner-in-crime Ekenasio was not far behind with 22 goals from 28 attempts at 79 per cent. For Jamaica, Fowler was a rock under the post once again nailing 46 goals from 47 attempts at a whopping 98 per cent, with goal attack Beckford posting 10 goals from 11 attempts.

England (65) defeated South Africa (63)

It was a tale of two halves with England dominating most of the first and second quarter while, South Africa turned the tables in the third and fourth but fell agonisingly short. The Roses went on a scoring rampage of sorts in the second term piling on 19 goals to 14 well and truly taking control of the match with the likes of George Fisher and Eleanor Cardwell. The two have shown they have what it takes to match it with the best and delivered once again. The defensive unit of Karla Pretorius and Phumza Maweni was not up to their usual high standard with two beaten for height in the goal circle. But the inclusion of Zanele Vimbela in the third really opened things up, with the goal keeper getting hands to ball and creating crucial turnover opportunities. The work of sharp shooter Lenize Potgieter was on full display with the goaler owning the circle with her strong movement and accuracy to post to keep her side in the hunt. A big third quarter effort from the Spar Proteas almost saw them steal the win, but the Roses stood strong with the likes of Jade Clarke stepping up through the midcourt while Razia Quashie and Stacey Francis played their role down back with the latter taking a game changing intercept to gift her side the all-important two-goal win.