England chase down depleted Ferns

England have stormed home from 10 goals down at halftime to snatch the Taini Jamison Trophy from the Silver Ferns.

Missing key three players, the Ferns were on track for a gutsy win at halftime, leading 26-16, but were blown off the court in the second half at Christchurch Arena last night, losing 49-45.

The Ferns faced a steep challenge with starting wing attack Gina Crampton, shooter Tiana Metuarau (both adductor strains) and defender Sulu Fitzpatrick (hyperextended knee) ruled out for game three.

They were also missing key performers Ameliaranne Ekenasio (maternity leave) and Jane Watson (ankle cleanout).

It was a difficult buildup for the Ferns, who just had three full days together as a squad to prepare in Christchurch, including latearriving Auckland players, who were granted government travel exemptions.

Take nothing away from England, who were also down on firepower with shooters Jo Harten, Helen Housby, defender Stacey Francis-Bayman and midcourter Natalie Haythornthwaite only available for the Australian leg of their tour.

With Crampton out for the second straight game, Sam Winders became the third different player to captain the Ferns in this series. Vice-captain Fitzpatrick deputised for Crampton in the second test.

Down by 10 goals at halftime, England made a perfect start, forcing two early held balls with their defensive hustle.

They scored four unanswered goals to begin the second half, trimming New Zealand’s buffer to six.

A 10-2 start to the second quarter had allowed the Ferns to surge ahead on the scoreboard and build a 21-14

advantage. England were sloppy Zealand defence, which forced them bringing the ball through court, into errors. struggling against swarming New Shannon Saunders and Claire

Kersten were able to safely get the ball into Maia Wilson and Te Paea Selby-Rickit, who combine well in

the shooting end.

A dominant second quarter, where the Ferns restricted England to just four goals and scored 14 themselves allowed New Zealand to take a 26-16 lead into halftime.

New Zealand had 11 extra attempts at goal in the first half with England committing 18 turnovers, 10 of which came in the second quarter.

England picked up right where they left off in the second test, outscoring New Zealand 34-21 in the second half of that game.

The Roses set the tone early, getting off to a quick 5-2 start with smooth attacking connections, finished off by shooters George Fisher and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis.

New Zealand started to get into the game and took advantage of some defensive gains to score at the other end of the court.

After a slow start, the Ferns finished the first quarter sharply with Wilson shooting a flawless nine from nine, benefiting from industrious play in the midcourt.

England were a different side in the early stages of the second half with a 9-2 burst forcing Dame Noeline Taurua to go to the bench for the first time. Centre Kimiora Poi, who missed out on the 2021-22 Ferns’ national squad, replaced Kersten in the middle.

Eleanor Cardwell added spark for the Roses at goal shoot, having come on late in the second quarter. Cardwell slotted all 13 of her third quarter attempts giving the New Zealand defenders something different to think about from Fisher.

Down 36-32 approaching the final 15 minutes, England were back in the contest. England made an outstanding 7-1 start to the second half to hit the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter.

With a rare away series victory in New Zealand in their grasp they didn’t let it slip.