10 Oct 2009

New Zealanders still adjusting to new netball series

12:32 pm on 10 October 2009

The New Zealand netballers have taken two wins from their first three games at the World Series in England, narrowly losing 24-21 to hosts England and beating Malawi 27-22 and Jamaica 37-28.

The inaugural tournament in Manchester features the world's top six teams competing to a set of new netball rules.

The Silver Ferns wing defense, Joline Henry, says the key to winning the tournament is starting each game fast and furious and she admits the Ferns are taking some time to come to terms with the demands of the shortened game.

The New Zealanders play Australia tonight and Samoa tomorrow morning.

Australia won both their games on the opening day of the tournament, against Jamaica and Malawi.

The World Series is a condensed version of the game with matches lasting just 24 minutes.

Each team elect one quarter as a Power Play when any goals scored are worth double.

Shooters can shoot from inside or outside the goal circle, with goals from outside worth double points.

Teams can also make unlimited rolling substitutions.

The finals will be played on Monday morning, New Zealand time.