Silver Ferns ease to victory over England

The Silver Ferns have defended yet another sluggish start after eventually overcoming England in the Quad Series in Wellington.

New Zealand looked rattled and actually trailed the visitors by two goals at halftime.

They eventually eased to victory 57-46.

England were right in the game until midway through the third quarter, level pegging, if not leading throughout the first half, taking a two goal advantage into the half time break.

It wasn't until the cavalry arrived in the form of of Maria Tutaia and Irene van Dyk, that the attack line started to click as it should.

Captain Casey Williams played the full game at goal defence, her first 60 minutes of international netball since last year's World Championship final.

Defender Katrina Grant says England's the third best team in the world so it's no surprise.

"Yeah they definitely came out firing, and they're a quality side and people need to realise that as well and it was just a good, hard match up 'til full time, but half time for me."

Grant says the game provided its purpose for the Ferns.

"Going into South Africa we can still work on more things and we pretty much got 11 out of 12 players out on court tonight which is what we're here for - is building the base for the future, so we're doing that."

Coach Wai Taumaunu admits it was a real mixed performance.

"I thought the first half was a bit creaky, we had Jodi (Brown) and Millie (Lees) on across the line. They were new back in so there were some mistakes, some errors of judgement amongst them. It got better and I was much happier with the second half."

Taumaunu says it's not clicking for Cathrine Latu at the moment.

"It's a work in progress trying to get her to present in the way that we can find her and give her the ball quickly. She's working hard at it but those connections are still not where they need to be."

No such problems for Australia, thumping South Africa 68-36.

Photo: Photosport