Easy opening wins for N.Z. netballers

Press, 26 July 1989, Page 37

Easy opening wins for N.Z. netballers

PA Karlsruhe New Zealand made an impressive start with two predictably easy wins on the opening day of the netball tournament at the World Games yesterday. The defending titleholder made short work of a weak Scotland side, 58-9, then comfortably overcame a useful Cook Islands team 55-19. Any worries the coach, Lyn Parker, had over the opening day were quickly dispelled as New Zealand totally dominated a Scotland side which, while not lacking heart, was short of fitness and without some experienced players. Scotland, realising the coach Ann Clark’s worst prematch fears, did actually score first and led 2-1 before the Kiwis, after a hesitant start, slipped into gear with some smart handling. New Zealand led 25-5 at half-time and no players performed better than the goal shooter, April leremia, and the centre, Sandra Mallett. leremia, paired with the goal attack, Julie Carter, turned on a superb shooting

exhibition. She notched all 16 attempts in the first half and finished with 32 goals from 35 shots. Mallett’s all-round performance, combining speed around the court, constant involvement and awareness of attacking options, was outstanding. Ms Parker paired the captain, Waimarama Taumanunu and Sharon Burridge in defence, with the seasoned combination of Julie Townsend and Rita Fatialofa filling the wing roles. The Cook Islands made New Zealand work much harder in the second match 80min later. Ms Parker made four changes from the Scotland match. She introduced a new defensive pairing, Robyn Dillimore and Annette Heffernan, gave 17-year-old Louisa Wall her international debut at centre and brought in the first choice goal shoot, Tracy Eyrl. In an interesting move Ms Parker switched leremia to goal attack to assess her combination with Eyrl. However, leremia came off at

half-time with a slight leg

injury — having scored 12 from 12 shots — and Carter came on and performed solidly. Fatialofa, with Townsend the only player to play two full games, captained the side, which led 27-8 at the interval. The Cook Islands best players included a strong New Zealand influence. The goal defender, Ina Kamana, is the sister of recently retired New Zealand goal shooter, Margharet Matenga, while the hard working centre, Selina Matenga, is her sister-in-law. Margharet Matenga spent two weeks coaching the Cook Islands side before it came to Karlsruhe. Her experience showed in a match more entertaining than the score might suggest. Results of the first day’s play:— England 37, Cook Islands 21; Australia 62, Fiji 18; New Zealand 58, Scotland 9; New Zealand 55, Cook Islands 19; England 52, Fiji 7; Australia 49, Scotland 13.