Netball: Silver Ferns hold off Uganda to earn third-place finish at Nations Cup

Silver Ferns have cemented a third-place finish at the Nations Cup in Leeds with a 62-57 win over Uganda on Monday (NZ time).

The sides were neck and neck throughout the hard-fought contest, as the ever-improving She Cranes sought revenge for their defeat to the NZ women earlier in the competition.

Coach Dame Noeline Taurua called on some experience off the bench at halftime, which helped her side extend to as much as a six-goal advantage.

The African side closed to within a goal in the final quarter, but the reshuffled Ferns line-up were able to keep the Africans at bay and close out victory. 

The result provided a positive finish to a difficult tournament for the New Zealanders, who lost Sunday's match to England in dramatic finish and were soundly beaten by the world champion Australians.

Shooter Grace Nweke rounded out an outstanding tournament by sinking 51 of her 54 attempts on goal for a 94 percent success rate, Kelly Jury was superb in the defensive circle, while Whitney Souness added valuable impetus through the midcourt.

Coach Dame Noeline Taurua rolled out a new-look starting line-up, with co-vice captain Kate Heffernan ruled out with an Achilles tendon niggle and Maddy Gordon out as a precaution after suffering a head knock at training.

Mila Reuelu-Buchanan lined up at wing attack, Tayla Earle donned the centre’s bib and returning international Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, slotted in at wing defence. After making her debut in the previous match, goal attack Amorangi Malesala made her first international starting line-up. 

Given the strong focus on development at the competition, Dame Noeline said she was pleased with the overall efforts of her squad.

"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."

Australia play England in the final later Monday morning in a replay of last year's World Cup final.

Silver Ferns 62 (Nweke 51/54, Malesala 11/12) Uganda 57 (Cholhok 45/47)

Silver Ferns have cemented a third-place finish at the Nations Cup in Leeds with a 62-57 win over Uganda on Monday (NZ time).

The sides were neck and neck throughout the hard-fought contest, as the ever-improving She Cranes sought revenge for their defeat to the NZ women earlier in the competition.

Coach Dame Noeline Taurua called on some experience off the bench at halftime, which helped her side extend to as much as a six-goal advantage.

The African side closed to within a goal in the final quarter, but the reshuffled Ferns line-up were able to keep the Africans at bay and close out victory. 

The result provided a positive finish to a difficult tournament for the New Zealanders, who lost Sunday's match to England in dramatic finish and were soundly beaten by the world champion Australians.

Shooter Grace Nweke rounded out an outstanding tournament by sinking 51 of her 54 attempts on goal for a 94 percent success rate, Kelly Jury was superb in the defensive circle, while Whitney Souness added valuable impetus through the midcourt.

Coach Dame Noeline Taurua rolled out a new-look starting line-up, with co-vice captain Kate Heffernan ruled out with an Achilles tendon niggle and Maddy Gordon out as a precaution after suffering a head knock at training.

Mila Reuelu-Buchanan lined up at wing attack, Tayla Earle donned the centre’s bib and returning international Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, slotted in at wing defence. After making her debut in the previous match, goal attack Amorangi Malesala made her first international starting line-up. 

Given the strong focus on development at the competition, Dame Noeline said she was pleased with the overall efforts of her squad.

"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."

Australia play England in the final later Monday morning in a replay of last year's World Cup final.

Silver Ferns 62 (Nweke 51/54, Malesala 11/12) Uganda 57 (Cholhok 45/47)

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