PALMERSTON NORTH, New Zealand, CMC- An improved showing by Jamaica was unable to stop New Zealand from pulling off a second victory to capture their three-match netball series with one game remaining.
The Silver Ferns were made to struggle before completing a 23 point win over the Sunshine Girls, who lost the opening fixture by 38 goals on Sunday.
New Zealand’s second win 61-38, secured them the Taini Jamison series heading into the third and final test in Rotorua Friday night.
The Jamaicans were much more competitive and caught their opponents off guard with a robust defence.
The ferns were forced to play catch-up for most of the opening spell, only nosing ahead in the final five minutes as they eked out a 14-9 lead at the first break.
But the homeside recaptured their rhythm in attack to charge out to a 29-16 lead at the half time interval.
The Jamaicans rebounded in the third quarter, their best period in the match, surging back into contention to even the session score 13 –all and trail 42-29 at the end of the period.
However, the Caribbean side, missing their leading shooters Romelda Aitken and Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, grew fatigue towards the end as the Silver Fern prevailed 61-38.
