FAST5 Ferns hold strong in tussle with England

The FAST5 Ferns are building towards a spot in the FAST5 Netball World Series final after beating England in what was a tight tussle in their opener on day two in Christchurch.

They held off a fast-finishing England Roses to win 32-28 at Wolfbrook Arena and take another step to tonight’s final.

Sharp shooter Martina Salmon said her heart was beating fast in what was a tight finish.

“It wasn’t the best game for us but we build and we come back better and stronger,” she said.  “It’s FAST5 so we go so fast and then we realised we need to settle and play our game so that’s really important for our next two games.”

The FAST5 Ferns opened the second day of play with their team dance and needed all of their best moves on court as well against a tough English side.

There was just the one point between the two teams with both going blow for blow in the power play and the New Zealand team facing the suspension of captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson late in the spell.

Back to a full unit, the Ferns edged ahead but found it tough work against a tight English defence and the scores were locked again heading into the second power play.

A Martina Salmon bomb for four points put the Ferns ahead 15-11 at the main break but the constant defensive pressure from the Roses, and the accuracy in their shooting circle, kept the English in the hunt.

The Ferns led 19-18 with one quarter to play and the intensity lifted a notch with both teams desperate for the win.

Two four-point plays from the FAST5 Ferns set up the hosts in the last minute of play and it took a big defensive effort from Michaela Sokolich-Beatson and Erena Mikaere to deny England the chance to hit the front in a frenetic final few seconds.

The Ferns meet South Africa in their final pool game ahead of the playoffs.