The Silver Ferns stepped up their campaign to defend their Commonwealth Games netball title with a hard-fought 47-41 win over England today.
The New Zealanders trailed for much of the match. They were down 24-22 at halftime and 35-34 going into the final quarter.
But when they really applied the pressure near the end they were too good. They won the final quarter 13-6.
Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken named as her starting lineup: Irene van Dyk, Maria Tutaia, Temepara George, Laura Langman, Joline Henry, Katrina Grant and Casey Williams. It was Georges first games outing she has struggled with an inner-ear infection. George was substituted at halftime by Liana Barrett-Chase.
The English women played an aggressive, busy game and were particularly effective in the midcourt, while shooter Pam Cookey caused the New Zealand defenders problems initially. However, overall the New Zealand shooters were marginally more accurate, netting 82 per cent of their shots compared to Englands 77 per cent.
The victory was important for New Zealand because it virtually assures them of avoiding world champions Australia until the final.
New Zealand, who began the tournament with easy wins over Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands, have two more pool matches, against South Africa and Barbados.
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