Netballers despatch Northern Ireland

It was business as usual for the New Zealand netballers when they opened their Commonwealth Games campaign against Northern Ireland.

The New Zealanders, coming off some testing lead-in matches, were never pushed and won 79-20, having led 33-11 at halftime.

Coach Noeline Taurua was able to give all 12 of her team, including debutant midcourter Kate Heffernan, plenty of game time and her four shooters  were all able to test themselves.

“It was a solid start,” she said. “I could hear them thinking out there and we could see the consolidation of combinations we’ve been working on.

“There comes a time when you have had enough practice and need to get out and play games, so I was pleased to see them in a live game today.”

Grace Nweke, Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Maia Wilson would have been pleased with their accuracy, but Bailey Mes missed more shots than she’d have liked.

New Zealand had a horror time of it in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games four years ago, losing five matches. But that seems an eon ago and there is a distinct feeling of purpose about the current team, whose first real test may be in pool play against current Games champions England.