In their most challenging outing to date, the Silver Ferns comfortably dismantled Zimbabwe 79-36 at the Vitality Netball
World Cup in Liverpool on Monday to keep their unbeaten record intact.
The Silver Ferns superior speed and finishing won the day, providing too much for Zimbabwe, who failed to blunt the New
Zealanders depth of talent and levels of accuracy.
In a physical encounter, the Silver Ferns again rotated their playing roster throughout while maintaining a consistent
scoring effort across all four quarters, Zimbabwe eventually succumbing through a mounting penalty count against their
more polished opposites.
“We were very ready for a physical battle and in those first seven or eight minutes we were going to-to-toe with them, so
it was nice we could absorb that pressure and grind through it and finish strongly,” player of the match, Silver Ferns
attacker, Gina Crampton said.
“I really like the thing we’ve got going on with our four shooters. We’re still playing the same structures no matter
who’s on but each one brings something a little bit different which is good and we’re still just building through that.”
The Silver Ferns opted for a well-versed attacking line-up to start their opening match of Preliminary Stage Two which
will determine seedings for the play-offs.
Captain Laura Langman (centre), Crampton (wing attack), Ameliaranne Ekenasio (goal attack) and Maria Folau were given
plenty of food for thought after a purposeful and energetic start from Zimbabwe who came into the game on the back of
two wins.
Playing in their first Netball World Cup, Zimbabwe level-pegged with the Silver Ferns until the midway stage of the
opening quarter, the New Zealanders finding the measure of their opponents with Langman and Crampton instrumental in
delivering a speedy transition through court.
A late burst, with shooters Folau and Ekenasio sharing the load perfectly, pushed the Silver Ferns out to a 21-10 lead
at the first break.
Bailey Mes came on at goal shoot with Folau moving out to goal attack and Karin Burger replacing Katrina Rore at wing
attack on the resumption, the game, at times, lifting to frenetic levels.
Zimbabwe had a strong contributor in goal shoot Pauline Jani who was deadly accurate under the hoop to keep a clean
sheet through the first half but lacked consistent opportunities.
The Silver Ferns midcourt defence pressured Zimbabwe who struggled to penetrate, causing them to lose possession through
the long passing option which the New Zealand defence was well set up for.
New Zealand’s transition and ball speed through court also created headaches for Zimbabwe, who could not match them in
that department, the elusive Crampton featuring through her forceful second phase play.
Frantic exchanges from both teams caused turnovers either way but with Folau and defender Jane Watson dominating at both
ends, the Silver Ferns went to halftime comfortably placed when leading 40-18.
After making multiple changes for the third stanza, including the introduction of Te Paea Selby-Rickit at goal shoot,
who continued her impressive form with a perfect 23 from 23 return under the hoop during the second half, Shannon
Saunders at centre and Casey Kopua at goal defence.
The Silver Ferns maintained the same rate of scoring as the previous term, keeping a willing but tiring Zimbabwe at bay
while forging a 59-26 lead at the last break.
The Silver Ferns meet Northern Ireland next up in the tournament at 2am on Wednesday (NZ time).
________________________________________
OFFICIAL RESULT AND STATS:
Silver Ferns: 79
Zimbabwe: 36
Shooting Stats - Silver Ferns:
Ameliaranne Ekenasio 25/30 (83%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit 23/23 (100%)
Maria Folau 23/25 (92%)
Bailey Mes 8/10 (80%)
Shooting Stats - Zimbabwe:
Pauline Jani 13/13 (100%)
Joice Takaidza 7/9 (78%)
Sharleen Makusha 6/8 (75%)
Sharon Bwanali 5/5 (100%)
Ursula Ndlovu 4/7 (57%)
MVP: Gina Crampton