The Silver Ferns have opened their Commonwealth Games campaign with a confidence-building blowout over Northern Ireland.
The Ferns were in control from start to finish on Saturday morning, notching a 79-20 victory as they held their opponents to single-digit scoring in each quarter at the National Event Centre in outer Birmingham.
Coach Dame Noeline Taurua ensured every member of her 12-strong squad got decent game time in their opening match, with everyone playing at least half a game. Shannon Saunders, Phoenix Karaka, Kayla Johnson and Sulu Fitzpatrick all played 45 minutes.
Grace Nweke [29 for 31], Te Paea Selby-Rickit [25 of 27] and Maia Wilson [20 from 22] had strong performances in the shooters' circle while Bailey Mes struggled to find her rhythm, finishing the match five-from-13.
At the other end, Kelly Jury had a an equally-impactful game as her in-form shooters as she snared three intercepts.
Saturday's result wasn't the biggest blowout in Birmingham on the opening day though with Australia handing Barbados a brutal 95-18 lesson before the Silver Ferns' match.
The Silver Ferns return to the court tomorrow morning with a clash against Uganda.
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