Veteran shooter Irene van Dyk and trusty sidekick Maria Tutaia once again showed what a formidable attack force they have become, carrying the Silver Ferns to a hard-fought 57-46 victory over England in the Quad Series at Wellington. Trailling 24-26 at halftime, the Kiwis only took control of the contest when the van Dyk/Tutaia tandem entered the fray in the third quarter. They combined for 33/36 shooting, with van Dyk locked in around goal (14/14) and Tutaia keeping the defenders honest from further out. After their 20-goal hiding from Australia on Sunday, the Ferns were looking to rebound in style, but coach Wai Taumaunu again put out an experimental starting line-up that had Catherine Latu and Jodi Brown in the shooting circle, and Millie Lees restored at wing attack, after missing the first three games of the series. The combinations never settled, repeatedly throwing possession away, and although they still enjoyed more opportunities than their English counterparts, Latu and Brown were not as accurate, shooting just 83% (24/29). New Zealand next face South Africa in Tauranga on Sunday, while England take on the world-champion Australians.
Source: ONE Sport