The England Roses celebrated a historic first series victory in New Zealand, triumphing in two out of three games and lifting the Taini Jamison trophy. We have the series recap, standout moments, and a preview of what’s next for both teams.
Contributors: Tobbey Keddy, Kariba McGinn + Nicole Mudgway
Images: Danny Dalton + May Bailey
RESULTS
Test 1
England Roses 59 def NZ Silver Ferns 58
NZ:
Grace Nweke 49/55 (89%)
Ameliaranne Ekenasio 7/8 (88%)
Maia Wilson 2/2 (100%)
Total: 58/65 (89%)
Eng:
Liv Tchine 41/45 (91%)
Helen Housby 18/21 (86%)
Total: 59/66 (89%)
MVP: Funmi Fadoju (5 gains, 3 intercepts, 4 deflections)
Debutantes: Claire O’Brien, Parris Mason
Test 2
England Roses 59 def NZ Silver Ferns 55
NZ:
Grace Nweke 43/51 (84%)
Ameliaranne Ekenasio 11/13 (85%)
Maia Wilson 1/1 (100%)
Total: 55/65 (85%)
Eng:
Liv Tchine 41/46 (89%)
Helen Housby 14/17 (82%)
Berri Neil 4/5 (80%)
Total: 59/68 (87%)
MVP: Liv Tchine (41/46, 1 deflection, 1 rebound, 0 turnovers)
Milestone: Maia Wilson (50 tests)
Test 3
NZ Silver Ferns 61 def England Roses 56
NZ:
Grace Nweke 48/52 (92%)
Ameliaranne Ekenasio 13/14 (93%)
Total: 61/66 (92%)
Eng:
Liv Tchine 34/36 (94%)
Helen Housby 18/22 (82%)
Lois Pearson 4/7 (57%)
Total: 56/65 (86%)
MVP: Kelly Jackson (3 gains, 4 deflections, 1 pickup)
Kate Heffernan surprisingly finished the series with only one intercept across the two games she got on court. Image – Danny Dalton
Test 1 – Trusts Arena (Auckland/Tāmaki-Makaurau)
As Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio remarked, the initial test of the 2024 Taini Jamison Trophy closely resembled last year’s opener, with the Roses securing a narrow 59-58 win over the Ferns.
Kimiora Poi made a comeback to the Ferns after a two-year absence, starting at wing attack while Whitney Souness was notably absent from the matchday lineup. Debutantes Claire O’Brien and Parris Mason made impressive first showings, with O’Brien providing 19 feeds and Mason contributing a crucial intercept towards the end.
England’s minimal changes helped them maintain stability, with standout performances from Helen Housby and Liv Tchine in the circle, and Imogen Allison in the midcourt. MVP Funmi Fadoju played a crucial role in defense, collecting five vital gains to thwart the Ferns, showcasing her agility and anticipation against the New Zealand feeders.
Despite a strong start, the Ferns found it challenging to sustain momentum, rotating their attack with Maia Wilson replacing Ekenasio at times, and O’Brien, Maddy Gordon, and Poi alternating through the midcourt. On defense, Kelly Jackson and Karin Burger posed problems for England’s shooters, but the Ferns were hindered by penalties, accumulating 64 compared to the Roses’ 47.
The match remained tight throughout with 10 lead changes, and the margin for each quarter was never more than one goal. England led for most of the second half, but it seemed like New Zealand might snatch the win when they took the lead with less than three minutes remaining. Fadoju’s crucial intercept turned the tide back in England’s favor. The Roses displayed composure in closing out the game to secure a 1-0 lead in the series.
Berri Neil only saw 15 minutes of court time this series, in Test 2.Image – May Bailey | Clusterpix Photo
Test 2 – Te Rauparaha Arena (Wellington/Te Whanganui-A-Tara)
An assertive third quarter by the English Roses proved decisive as they secured a 59-55 series-clinching victory. After a close contest in test one, test two saw a more topsy-turvy affair with neither team showing consistent performances over four quarters.
Berri Neil started at goal attack for England, but in Housby’s absence, the Roses lacked attacking cohesion and direction, leading to Neil being substituted in the first quarter. When Housby entered the game in the second quarter, the Roses elevated their game. She partnered effectively with goal shooter Liv Tchine, who was named the MVP. With an impressive 41 goals from 46 attempts (89%), Tchine positioned herself expertly in the front space, allowing easy feeds from the midcourt into the circle and neutralizing Kelly Jackson’s impact.
Another standout for the Roses was Lois Pearson, who proved uncontainable for the Silver Ferns. Leading in feeds (47), goal assists (24), and center pass receives (26), Pearson showcased her potential as a reliable asset for the Roses’ attack in the future.
The Silver Ferns started energetically, thanks in large part to the Central Pulse-centered defensive duo of Parris Mason and Kelly Jackson, but they faltered in fluency and momentum as the game progressed. Coach Noeline Taurua made several changes, with key players Maddy Gordon, Amelieranne Ekenasio, and Kate Heffernan going to the bench, but the replacements failed to make an impact.
Laura Malcolm had another strong international series for the Roses. Image – May Bailey | Clusterpix Photo
Test 3 – ILT Stadium Southland (Invercargill/Waihopai)
With the Roses already securing the trophy after winning the first two games, the Silver Ferns approached the final match looking to salvage pride and a much-needed victory. Unlike the previous tests, coach Noeline Taurua stuck with her starting seven throughout the 60 minutes, and they delivered a solid performance, eventually winning 61-56.
Claire O’Brien shone for New Zealand, combining effectively with Maddy Gordon in the midcourt. The Ferns’ defensive trio of Kelly Jackson, Parris Mason, and Karin Burger played a pivotal role in the victory, contributing an impressive 10 possession gains. Jackson, honored with the MVP award, showcased her partnership with Mason as one of the highlights for New Zealand to take away from the series.
The Ferns built a four-goal lead by halftime and maintained the advantage despite the Roses winning the third quarter once more. New Zealand’s ability to regain control in the fourth quarter, particularly through a crucial offensive foul, sealed the victory by managing the clock effectively.
Liv Tchine continued her strong form for the Roses, finishing with an impressive 94% accuracy, while Lois Pearson excelled once again in the wing attack position with 24 feeds. However, Pearson struggled in the fourth quarter as she was moved into the circle when New Zealand extended their lead, hinting at her potential future in the midcourt for England.
WHAT WORKED
England’s third quarter: England’s dominance in the third quarter was a standout feature of their success in the Taini Jamison series. The Roses consistently used the third period to seize momentum, outscoring the Silver Ferns significantly. The strategic adjustments, precise execution, and ability to capitalize on turnovers during this critical phase were instrumental in creating winning leads for England throughout the series.
Liv Tchine and Helen Housby (England): In the absence of Eleanor Cardwell, concerns were raised about the impact on England’s attack. However, Tchine and Housby formed a formidable partnership in the series, dispelling any doubts. Tchine’s sharp shooting accuracy (91% for the series) complemented Housby’s leadership and playmaking skills in the shooting circle, crucial to England’s success
Gains in defense (New Zealand
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