Silver Ferns overcome Uganda to secure third at Nations Cup
Monday, 29 January 2024
At First Direct Arena, Leeds: Silver Ferns 62 (Grace Nweke 50/53, Amorangi Malesala 11/12) beat Uganda 57 (Mary Cholhok 45/47, Shadiah Nassanga 6/6). 1Q: 16-14, HT: 30-30, 3Q: 46-43.
The Silver Ferns battled to a hard-fought win over Uganda to secure third place at the Netball Nations Cup in Leeds on Sunday (Monday NZT).
With the two sides locked at 30-all at halftime, Dame Noeline Taurua turned to experienced heads Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka and Karin Burger in the second period in an attempt to break the deadlock.
And the veteran coach’s personnel and positional changes had the desired effect as the Ferns finished strongly to eke out a narrow 62-57 victory.
It marked an encouraging end to a mixed Nations Cup campaign for Taurua’s youthful side, who missed out on a spot in the final of the four-nation tournament after an agonising one-goal loss to hosts England a day earlier.
Taurua has used the competition – which could be her last in the hot seat – to blood several new players, handing the likes of Amorangi Malesala and Georgia Heffernan their debuts in the black dress.
And overall she was satisfied with how her young, inexperienced side had acquitted themselves against international opposition.
“We came out with the win and once again, with this current group, the only way that we can learn is by being on the job,” Taurua said.
“There were some really good moments but on the opposite side of that, there were some areas that we really need to tidy up on.
“This group has grown massively. We had 150 caps less than England in yesterday’s game and really pushed that game to the wire. Our ability to back up from one game to another is still a bit of a work-on and our ability to close the door when we need to is still a work-on.
“But we can be really proud of those who made their Silver Ferns debuts, and there were a few, during this tournament.”
Shooter Grace Nweke delivered another standout performance with 50 goals from 53 attempts (94%) as the Ferns eventually overcame a stubborn Ugandan side.
With co-vice captain Kate Heffernan ruled out with a sore Achilles and Maddy Gordon rested as a precaution after suffering a head knock at training, the Ferns began the third/fourth playoff at First Direct Arena with an unfamiliar lineup.
Mila Reuelu-Buchanan started at wing attack, Tayla Earle donned the centre’s bib and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson slotted in at wing defence. Goal attack Malesala was also handed her first start after coming off the bench for her debut against England.
Malesala found herself in the thick of the action during a tight opening quarter, helping the Ferns take a 16-14 lead into the first break.
But the She Cranes were proving anything but a pushover, retaining possession for long periods while their 2.01m shooter Mary Cholhok (25 from 25) showed unerring accuracy under the net.
Indeed, Uganda took the lead with five minutes to go in the second stanza before a buzzer-time shot from Malesala helped the Ferns head into halftime all square.
It was then that Taurua turned to the extra height of goalkeeper Kelly Dury and the mobility of Phoenix Karaka and Karin Burger to slow Uganda’s momentum.
Leading by three at the last turn, the Ferns faced some anxious moments as Uganda closed to within one goal, before finishing with a flourish to win by a five-goal margin.
In the final, world champions Australian hammered England 69-49 to capture the inaugural title.