The Silver Ferns have finished their chaotic 2025 international season on a high - overcoming illness, coaching drama, and a loud Manchester crowd to defeat England 55-49 and claim the Vitality Netball International Series 2-1.
In a tightly contested decider this morning at AO arena, the world number two Silver Ferns delivered a composed and clinical second half to shake off the fourth-ranked Roses and bring home their second piece of silverware this year, adding to September’s Taini Jamison Trophy sweep over South Africa.
With the teams trading respective 61-58 victories in the first two tests, the decider was expected to go to the wire, and it delivered. The Ferns got out to an early start, whilst England rewarded their turnover ball to take the opening quarter 14-11, their first first-quarter win of the series.
But the Ferns, battling a stomach bug that hit several players after Monday’s loss in London, punched back. Sticking with their starting seven for the entire game, New Zealand lifted intensity at both ends of the court.
Maddy Gordon sparked a momentum shift with an intercept off the first centre pass in the second quarter, whilst Grace Nweke found her rhythm under the post - ably supported by some slick ball from Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Georgia Heffernan.
The ever formidable defensive trio of Kelly Jackson, Karin Burger and Kate Heffernan, who played her 50th international game, forced England wide and began to disrupt England’s shooting flow. The New Zealand side won the second quarter 16-11, making the score 27-25 at half time.
As they had all series, England came out firing after the break, eventually building a 37-34 advantage, but the Ferns’ resilience shone through.
