Silver Ferns 85 - Malawi 26
The Silver Ferns have opened the Netball World Championships with a massive win over Malawi.
Malawi had talked up their chances against the defending champions before the tournament's first game at west Auckland's Trusts Stadium but were completely overmatched.
With centre Laura Langman showing no ill-effects from her recent stress-fracture of the foot and wing-attack Adine Wilson and goal-shoot Irene van Dyk in sharp form as well, the Silver Ferns' attack was far too fast and skillful for their opponents.
Unable to find a way through the Silver Ferns' rugged through-court defence and making numerous errors, Malawi were given no chance to play their favoured, possession-at-all-costs game which has seen them previously string together over 60 passes before sinking a goal.
New Zealand's feast of possession saw van Dyk shoot the perfect game, sinking 42 shots from 42 attempts before she was subbed off for the final 15 minutes.
The Silver Ferns led 23-5 at the end of the first quarter, the tone set by a Casey Williams intercept off Malawi's opening pass.
New Zealand notched up six goals before Malawi sunk their first goal, to rapturous applause from a supportive full house.
Malawi was restricted to just six shots on goal for the entire 15 minutes, missing only once.
By halftime the Ferns were up 45-10 and coach Ruth Aitken rang the changes at halftime, bringing on Maria Tutaia for Te Huna at goal-attack, Julie Seymour for Joline Henry at wing-defence and Leana de Bruin for Williams at the back.
At the end of the third quarter New Zealand led 63-19 and Aitken brought Te Huna back at goal-shoot for the final spell, van Dyk earning a rare rest on the bench.
Maree Bowden also took over the centre's bib from Langman.
While the match was an acceptably clinical performance from the Silver Ferns, Aitken still has plenty to work on, with the occasional lapse in concentration and miscommunication showing there is still room for improvement.
New Zealand captain Adine Wilson said value could be gained from the match, even though it was so one-sided.
"I think we take a lot actually because for us it was about getting the confidence to let the ball go and I really felt that build throughout the match," Wilson told Sky Television.
"We threw a few away at the start, a little bit of nerves, but the girls were just having fun out there."
Wilson was pleased to see centre Langman back after the lively playmaker had spent the past month recovering from her injury.
"She's been great. She was always going to be fine, she's such a tough little thing," Wilson said.
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