Silver Ferns ease past Scotland in second test
- Dave Worsley
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
A strong final quarter has taken the Silver Ferns to a comprehensive 80-48 win over the Scottish Thistles in the second match of the two-test series in Glasgow.
It completed a sweep of the series for the Silver Ferns who took out the opening test 63-41 on Monday.
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Preparing for the more challenging prospect of a three-test series against England, starting on Sunday (6am, NZ time), the Silver Ferns mixed all 12 players on court against Scotland, for a powerful 20-7 final quarter putting the stamp on the match.
Ranked 10th in the world, as opposed to the Silver Ferns at No 2, the Thistles showed their growing stature with plenty of promising play while recording their highest score against the New Zealanders in the second test.
The return of shooter Grace Nweke and midcourter Maddy Gordon to the playing line-up saw both make key contributions.
Playing just half a game each, the pair was instrumental in setting the platform for the Silver Ferns with Nweke slotting 34 shots from 37 in her 30 minutes of work, and Gordon earning player of the match.
Midcourter Mila Reulu-Buchanan and defender Kelly Jackson were left out of the game-day 12 for the second test.
The connection between in-form wing attack Gordon and the potent Nweke was evident from the outset with Gordon delivering a quick and pin-point service to her 1.93m target.
The Thistles replied with a flurry of their own before the Silver Ferns delivered a strong finish to take a 21-15 lead into the first break.
Georgia Heffernan took over from Amelia Walmsley at goal attack on the resumption while Kate Heffernan moved from wing defence to centre and captain Karin Burger came off the bench and into wing defence.
That resulted in stiffer midcourt defensive pressure from the Silver Ferns and slowing Scotland’s attacking momentum while in-circle defenders Stythe and Parris Mason got their hands on turnover opportunities.
Gordon was in the thick of action and continuing to impress with her perfectly weighted passes into Nweke as the Silver Ferns delivered an improved showing with a 23-12 second quarter.
Scotland goal attack Niamh McCall impressed with her shooter-to-shooter play, quick movement and ability to shoot from range but the Thistles were unable to contain the influence of Gordon and Nweke as the Silver Ferns skipped into the main break with a 44-27 lead.
The New Zealanders made more changes for the third term including Peta Toeava entering the game at wing attack, Martina Salmon at goal shoot and Catherine Hall, goal defence.
Salmon made a strong personal impact with her timing, movement and accuracy while working well in tandem with Georgia Heffernan but, overall, the Silver Ferns lacked consistency and were let down too often by unforced errors.
Scotland kept the Silver Ferns honest with a competitive quarter where they held the New Zealanders to just a two-goal advantage, the visitors taking a healthy 60-41 lead into three-quarter time despite some inconsistencies.
The Silver Ferns lifted their efforts in the run home with Walmsley, back on at goal attack, and Salmon finding plenty of space in the shooting circle along with a wealth of opportunities to quickly advance the score.