At Pulman Arena, Auckland:
Silver Ferns 68 (Grace Nweke: 46/50, Maia Wilson: 22/25, Bailey Knife 0/2) Mixed invitees 59 (Quintin Gerber: 46/50, Grace Namana: 8/9, Georgia Heffernan: 5/5) 1Q: 17-13, HT: 36-31, 3Q: 55-44.
New Zealand Men 65 (Dan Jefferies: 28/30, Ben Smith: 13/14, Jay Geldard: 18/19, Cam Powell: 6/7) New Zealand A 44 (Amelianne Ekenasio: 15/16, Tiana Metuarau: 14/16, Filda Vui: 12/16, Jamie Hume: 3/6) 1Q: 15-12, HT: 30-24, 3Q: 49-33.
Grace Nweke and Maia Wilson thrived together in the Silver Ferns shooting as they secured their place in the Cadbury Netball Series final.
Nweke shone with 46 goals from 50 attempts, while also racking up four rebounds, in the Ferns’ 68-59 win over the Mixed Invitational side at Pulman Arena on Friday.
After missing Thursday’s 15 goal against the New Zealand men as a precaution after taking a blow to the knee in the previous game, Nweke showed once again how crucial she is for the Ferns.
The win makes for a juicy rematch against the men in Saturday’s final (4pm) – with the Ferns desperate for penance for their sloppy 61-46 loss in round game.
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Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua gave an inside look at her Commonwealth Games plans with Nweke and Wilson usually a goal shoot together in the shooting end.
They functioned effectively with Wilson sending a safe ball to Nweke and making the shots when needed – something sorely lacking in the loss for the men. Wilson finished 22 out of 25, which gave Nweke a perfect foil and gave the Ferns two strong shooting options.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if the duo took to the field together during the crucial games of the Commonwealth Games.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Maia Wilson stood out on offense alongside Grace Nweke in the Silver Ferns win on the Mixed Invitational side.
Whitney Souness again did well in the center bib, having played mainly wing attack for the Central Pulse this season and sent a precise ball to her shooters.
Souness appears to be the preferred option in the midst of the Games, having started there in all three Cadbury Series matches.
The Marg Foster-coached Mixed Invitational side, with former Ferns centurion Leana de Bruin, unwanted Ferns midfielder Maddy Gordon and Australian netballers Kelsey Browne and Laura Scherian in their lineup, took it to the Ferns in the first half.
They took the lead 27-26 late in the first half, but a powerful end to the second quarter saw the Ferns take a cushion of five goals (36-31) in the main break.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Silver Ferns captain Gina Crampton brings the ball through the field against the Mixed Invitational side.
Under the mixed netball rules, a maximum of three men may be on the court at any one time. A man must play in every third of the field.
For the third game in a row, the Ferns were unchanged in the midcourt and defensive circle. Captain Gina Crampton, center Souness and wing defense Kate Heffernan were in the engine room, while Sulu Fitzpatrick teamed up behind Kelly Jury.
Nweke was impressive for the Ferns in the first half, converting 28 of her 30 attempts and providing a strong target for her feeders.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua was much happier with her side’s performance against the Mixed Invitational team.
It was the battle for goals with Quintin Gerber that was just as effective for the Mixed Invitational, taking advantage of an excellent delivery and scoring 24 of 25 in the first half. Gerber finished the game 46 out of 50 in a dominant display.
After missing the back of the ANZ Premiership season with an ankle injury for the Mystics, he returned for the final loss to the Stars.it was a heartwarming 54-minute goal from Nweke.
The Invitational side stayed with the Ferns in the third quarter, keeping the game tight. A lively end to the period, as the Ferns went on a 6-1 burst, allowed them to enter the final quarter with a buffer of 11 goals, leading 55-44.
The New Zealand men warmed up for the final with a convincing 65-44 win over New Zealand A in the earlier match.
It continued their unbeaten run at the tournament, winning all three matches, with their smallest margin of victory at 12 goals.
New Zealand A played some of their best netball of the series in the first half, trailing just six goals (30-24) at halftime. The men showed their quality in the second half and won the second 30 minutes 35-20 to take control of the game.