The Silver Ferns produced a sterling performance to outclass the Fiji Pearls 81-28 in the opening match of the Oceania Netball Tri Series last night.
Captain Laura Langman dominated play at Centre court and dictated possession for the Ferns right from the start of the first quarter.
With the Fiji Pearls looking threatening in the opening few minutes of the first quarter, the Ferns rattled them with their speed and physicality as they raced away to claim victory.
Ferns Sharpshooter Maria Tutaia who kept the crowd on their feet with her long range goals said the players did not have much time to prepare in New Zealand but she was satisfied with their performance.
Tutaia was playing her first game back since a foot injury, which caused her miss out throughout the second half of last year.
Tutaia said the Fiji Pearls put up a good fight.
Tutaia made her appearance in the second half of the match to help the Ferns race to a 36-19 lead at half time.
The Silver Ferns made numerous positional changes in the second half and continued to keep the Pearls Defence at bay.
Meanwhile, Fiji Pearls Coach Kate Carpenter said the girls came out strong in the first half but they lost most of the possession in the last two quarters which widened the score line.
Kate said these are some of the things she will be working on with the girls to improve in their next game.
Carpenter said she had nine players in the court last night which was a good thing and she made changes to the girls in some of the quarters so they could have a feel of the game.
The Silver Ferns will take on Samoa at 6.40pm tonight at the Vodafone Arena.
The Fiji Pearls play Samoa tomorrow and take on the Silver Ferns again on Thursday night.
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