Mixed Invitational v NZA

Both the NZA and Mixed Invitational teams were coming off losses as they took to the court on the second night of the 2022 Cadbury Series.

The opening quarter was played at a frantic pace and every ball was intensely contested. A few fumbles from the NZA team allowed the Mixed Invitationals to get out to an early lead, however the NZA team pushed back to reduce the deficit. In the end, the Mixed Invitational team was able to better convert their turnovers into goals and went into the quarter-time break leading 16-12. 

The Mixed team would hold this lead going into the second quarter, capitalising on the ball they gained off their defenders, Kyle Owen and Leana de Bruin; while down the other end of the court, Kelsey Browne, Laura Scheiran and Amosa Faitaua-Nanai injected speed into the attacking end. Despite some accurate shooting and crafty play that helped create space in the circle, NZA were not able to close the gap. At halftime, the Mixed Invitationals led 27-20. 

With a few turnovers from each side, the game margin remained the same throughout the majority of the third quarter. In the final few minutes of the third term, the Mixed team looked to further extend their lead, but this was then drawn back. Going into the final quarter the Mixed Invitational team led, 41-33. 

In the final quarter, the Mixed team extended their lead, with Erena Mikaere, Laura Scherian and Joh Tukaki all picking up gains. In the shooting circle, Quintin Gerber and Georgia Heffernan were able to reward the work of their defenders by adding goals to the scoreboard.

While Elle Temu and Kate Burley did help to confuse space within the circle, the Mixed team proved tough to match, and were the victors over the NZA team, 59-47.

Kyle Owen was named Player of the Match. 

Silver Ferns v NZ Men

It was a tight opening in the match between the Silver Ferns and the NZ Men team. To open the game, Kelly Jury was able to get an intercept within the first thirty seconds. It was a chaotic start that saw two interceptions, a held ball and a minor shoe malfunction.

There was some momentum on the side of the Silver Ferns, who played with confidence and clear direction as the men found themselves playing catch-up netball. However, Kruze Tangira was able to win back possession and by the first quarter break, the score was 12 -12.

The frantic pace seen in the first quarter carried through into the second. The NZ Men kept the Silver Ferns to within two goals in the first nine minutes, helped by Dan Rich’s ability to contest in the air and win ball for the Men. While Kelly Jury picked up an amazing intercept for the Silver Ferns with a minute to go, it was the Men who led 29-23 at halftime.

Coming out of the halftime break, the pace of the game slowed down. This change in pace allowed for the Men to gain possession of the ball and extend their lead further in the first ten minutes of the half. In answer, Te Paea Selby-Rickit was injected into the game to provide the Silver Ferns with long-range shooting abilities, while Phoenix Karaka would pick up two intercepts in close succession. However this did not change the course of the game enough, and after scoring five in a row, the Men’s team extended their lead to 47-33 by the end of the quarter. 

In the final quarter, Whitney Souness injected flair into the Silver Ferns attacking end while Selby-Rickit used all her game smarts in an attempt to outplay the opposition. Unfortunately, the Men proved too dominant, and the final score of the game was 61-46 to the Men.

Men’s captain, Kruze Tangirua was the MVP of the game.