NZ outguns Aussies in netball, 38-31

Coach Norma Plummer admits toying with the line-up of the Australian netball team
was partly to blame for the 38-31 loss to the Silver Ferns in Auckland.
The Australian coach also said she expected the New Zealanders to put more than
seven points on her team following their error-ridden performance.
"Execution of the pass was terrible for us tonight, we thought the Ferns probably
should have won by more than five or six goals," Plummer said.
"It's something to work on."
Plummer opted to run with debutant Rebecca Bulley at wing defence in front of
seasoned performer Julie Prendergast and gave the nod to Catherine Cox to make her
return from injury.
But up against the fired up Silver Ferns who were seeking revenge for Wednesday's
Test loss, the Diamonds were on the backfoot from the first whistle and struggled to
find options in attack.
The Ferns raced out to a five-goal lead in the opening minutes of the match and
although Australia clawed back to be down 12-9 at quarter time, it was as close as
they got.
An 11-6 second quarter to the Kiwis proved the difference between the two sides and
after halftime Bulley was replaced with Prendergast.
The personnel change stemmed the flow of goals to the Kiwis who went to three
quarter time at 29-21 up which was a big enough of a margin for them to ride home,
in the lowest scoring match between these two sides since 1989.
"We took a punt to start with a new line-up because now is the time to do it I
believe, the world champs and Commonwealth Games aren't here yet," Plummer said.
"We felt we lost that drive coming through and that propped our game.
"In hindsight, Cath (Cox), she's a seasoned player, she's had a brilliant year, you
give her the go but I think the edge was off with her foot, but mainly it was wing
defence.
"Bec (Bulley) did some great ground work but she wasn't coming with the drive."
Silver Fern defender Casey Williams was named player of the match for her
outstanding game which went a long way to shutting down the Australian goal circle.
Ferns goal shooter Maria Tutaia was brilliant in the midcourt and accurate at goal
scoring 22 goals from all around the circle which sent her vocal home crowd into
raptures.
New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken went searching for more potency in defence and found
it through Sheryl Scanlan, new cap Katrina Grant and Williams.
The Kiwi coach stuck to her guns and again started Laura Langman at wing attack and
Irene van Dyk at goal attack, before replacing van Dyk after she shot just three
goals from eight attempts in the third quarter.
Daneka Wipiiti was awarded her first cap since 2002 when she got on the court in the
final quarter.
"We ensured that we took the court with passion and fire and I thought tonight was
just outstanding," Aitken said.
"I think for us to finish on this positive note is great, and we will head into the
English series knowing that when push came to shove we could lift and that is very
important in a team."
Australia will return home on Sunday to prepare for the two-Test home series again
England on October 4 and the Silver Ferns on October 26.