Silver Ferns square series

New Zealand defeated Australia 43-37 in the second Test at Trusts Stadium in Auckland on Saturday afternoon to level the series at 1-1.

After tasting victory in New Zealand for the first time in five years on Thursday night, the Australians were looking to record another victory over a Silver Ferns outfit that has been the form international side in recent years after securing both World Championship and Commonwealth Games gold medals.

First half featured a strong start from the Silver Ferns with three goals early but the Australians answered quickly with successive goals.

Susan Pratley replaced Cath Cox for the second quarter as the Australians goalers continued to apply plenty of pressure on the strong Silver Ferns defence.

Australia went into the main break leading by a solitary goal 20-19.

The Silver Ferns came out a much more determined and focussed outfit during the second half as Australia struggled to produce the same they displayed during the second half. It was the fast and skilled Silver Ferns midcourt led by captain Adine Wilson that restricted the Australian goalers scoring opportunities.

Irene van Dyk shot 25 goals from 27 attempts at 93% accuracy to continue what has been a consistent series for her so far and Maria Tutaia (18/24 at 75%) was again effective in a support role at goal attack.

Sharelle McMahon (20/24 at 83%) was a little down on her performance in this match and will need to ensure her performance inside the circle is much better if the Australians want to have any chance of securing a series victory on Monday afternoon. Susan Pratley (12/19 at 63%) and Catherine Cox (5/10 at 50%) were the other two goalers used by coach Norma Plummer.

Wilson led from the front at wing attack and was named Player of the Match in what was her best performance for the series.

Earlier in the week the Australians tasted victory in New Zealand for the first time in five years when they defeated the Silver Ferns 51-47 before a crowd of 4,000 vocal fans at the Events Centre in Wellington.

McMahon received the player of the match award after having a near perfect match inside the circle shooting 24 goals.

The final and deciding match in the series will be played in Christchurch on Monday and ABC TV will show live coverage of the match from 4:30pm AEST.

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