Silver Ferns clinch second test to wrap up Taini Jamison Trophy

The Silver Ferns responded to a stirring South Africa challenge to claim a compelling 70-58 win over South Africa in the second WM New Zealand Netball Series test for the Taini Jamison Trophy in Napier on Wednesday.

After winning the first test 77-51, the Silver Ferns wrapped up the prized Tani Jamison Trophy with one test to play, in Invercargill on Sunday. Pushed hard by the Proteas second time around, the Silver Ferns absorbed and then extended to finish well in control.

After a disjointed start, ace shooter Grace Nweke grew into her game and was suitably rewarded with a commanding individual performance when notching a career high and new personal best after nailing a personal haul of 60 goals for the first time in a match.

There was also the end of a long wait for shooter Filda Vui, who after previously being involved with the Silver Ferns in 2020, finally got to make her international debut when joining the action during the last quarter.

Vui was the only change to the Silver Ferns game-day 12 after Kate Heffernan was ruled out due to illness. Livewire midcourter Mila Reuelu-Buchanan got the starting nod at wing attack while up-and-coming defender Parris Mason made the shift sideways to get her first taste of playing wing defence at international level.

Slow out of the blocks in the first test, South Africa’s review of that match led to several tweaks for the second instalment. The well-performed Elmere van der Berg earned the right to start at goal shoot while Tarle Mathe got the nod at centre and Jamie van Wky lined up at goal defence.

The plucky Proteas provided the perfect response to their first test woes with a determined and productive start to the second showdown.

Showing a determined resistance on defence and patience on attack, with short, sharp, punchy passes, the visitors rattled the Silver Ferns while forging an early lead. The shooting pair of van der Berg and Kamogelo Maseko impressed with their positioning, movement and accuracy under the hoop to give the Proteas the early impetus.

At the other end, the mobile Soth African defenders caused confusion in the passing options to key Silver Ferns strike weapon Nweke. Finding more momentum late in the piece, the home side managed to claw back a six-goal deficit as the Proteas took a narrow 15-14 lead into the first break.

With shooter Martina Salmon replacing Georgia Heffernan in the circle on the resumption, the Silver Ferns applied more centre court defensive pressure through Maddy Gordon and Mason while game-day captain Kelly Jackson was a constant disruptive presence from the goalkeeper’s position.

Grinding their way into the lead, the Silver Ferns attack line found their rhythm with Reuele-Buchanan unleashing a flurry of successful long-range bombs into Nweke’s hands. With the game being played at a high tempo, the Proteas were bustled into error while the towering Nweke gradually gained dominance of the aerial battle.

Slipping into a 34-28 lead at the main break, the Silver Ferns had gained the edge but still with plenty of work to keep a rejuvenated South Africa at bay.

The injection of Peta Toeava and Kimiora Poi to wing attack and centre respectively, and Gordon moving to wing defence coincided with a big shift in momentum for the Silver Ferns during the third stanza.

After making her international debut four days ago, Salmon played a strong hand in supporting and supplying quick ball to Nweke while Toeava and Poi were equally effective. Retaining their starting seven, South Africa continued to compete gamely but their shooting end remained under constant pressure from the ever-present attention of Jackson and Karin Burger.

With improved ball placement, Nweke clicked up a gear to impose herself on the game in devastating fashion. Surging in confidence, the Silver Ferns repelled the Proteas spirited challenge to hit the last break well-placed when leading 53-42 and with that control of the game.