The Taini Jamison Trophy got underway in Auckland earlier today and there were wins for Jamaica and New Zealand.
Jamaica 83 – 38 Fiji
The curtain raiser for the Taini Jamison Trophy featured Jamaica and Fiji, which will also be the first game at the Commonwealth Games in a couple of weeks time. The first quarter started with a flurry of goals, with Jamaica taking it 18-13.
Romelda Aiken and Rebekah Robinson started for Jamaica in the goal shooter and goal attack positions respectively. Jhaniele Fowler-Reid came on for Aiken in the second half. The two Rusivakula’s, Afa and Maliana, started upfront for Fiji but Jamaica goal keeper, Shamera Sterling, was in inspired form and kept both players relatively quiet throughout the game.
The Sunshine Girls increased their lead in the second quarter, taking the scores to 33-22 at half time. It was in the third quarter where Jamaica started to really pull away from the Pearls. They won the third quarter 22-11, taking the overall scores at third quarter time to 55-33.
There was huge support for Fiji inside the North Shore Events Centre, highlighted by huge cheers every time the Pearls scored. Unfortunately for the Fiji contingent, they couldn’t manage to overturn Jamaica’s lead. The Sunshine Girls will be delighted with their impressive start to their Taini Jamison Trophy campaign.
Shooting – Jamaica – 83/107 (78%) – Fiji – 38/46 – (83%)
Starting line ups –
Jamaica – (GS) R.Aiken, (GA) R.Robinson, (WA) K.Williams, (C) A.Thomas, (WD) V.Williams, (GD) S.Facey, (GK) S.Sterling
Fiji – (GS) M.Rasivakula, (GA) A.Rusivakula, (WA) Eirikisava, (C) A.Waqanibete, (WD) V.Sawana, (GD) A.Naqiri, (GK) K.Gaunavinaka
Player of the Match – Shamera Sterling
New Zealand 75 – 42 Malawi
Photo Credit – Netball New Zealand
Day one came to a close with the first meeting between the Silver Ferns and the Malawi Queens since the 2015 World Cup. Malawi have never beaten the Silver Ferns in their previous encounters and will have to wait further to record their first win over the Ferns.
New Zealand hit the ground running from the off, racing to a 18-6 lead in the first quarter. Janine Southby’s side had a few injuries to deal with within the squad, and took no risks with the Commonwealth Games just around the corner. Bailey Mes got the nod to start at goal attack and Sam Sinclair started at wing defense.
For Malawi, Mwai Kumwenda and Joyce Mvula started upfront but the Silver Ferns defense kept them relatively quiet. New Zealand picked up where they left off in the second quarter and doubled their score. They would lead 36-17 at half time.
Silver Ferns veteran Maria Folau came on in the second half and was linking up well upfront. She added to a further 20 goals that were scored in the third quarter by the Silver Ferns.
A massive ovation broke out in the final quarter as Michaela Sokolich-Beatson made her Silver Ferns debut. Micheala, a North Shore native, had huge support in the crowd. There was also a big applause for Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who also came on in the final fifteen minutes to mark her return to international netball following the birth of her first child.
Malawi, who had only been in New Zealand for 24 hours prior to the game, couldn’t overturn the lead and fell to a 75-42 defeat.
Shooting – New Zealand – 75/94 – (80%) – Malawi – 42/54 – (78%)
Starting line ups –
New Zealand – (GS) Te Paea Selby-Rickit, (GA) B.Mes, (WA) G.Kara, (C) S.Francois, (WD) S.Sinclair, (GD) K.Grant, (GK) K.Jury
Malawi – (GS) J.Mvula, (GA) M.Kumwenda, (WA) T.Galleta, (C) T.Lwazi, (WD) J.Kackilika, (GD) T.Vinkhambo, (GK) L.Ngwira
Player of the Match – Grace Kara
| March 21st (18.10pm) |  | 83 | 38 |  |
| March 21st (20.10pm) |  | 75 | 42 |  |
| March 22nd (18.10pm) | | 52 | 67 | |
| March 22nd (20.10pm) | | 51 | 59 | |
| March 23rd (18.10pm) | | 66 | 55 | |
| March 23rd (20.10pm) | | 88 | 27 | |
| 3rd/4th PLAYOFF March 24th (14.10pm) | | 78 | 46 | |
| FINAL March 24th (16.10pm) | | 59 | 53 | |
*Local time
The Taini Jamison Trophy continues tomorrow and can be watched live via the Silver Ferns Facebook page, found here.
