The Fast5 Ferns have got off to a strong start in their World Series campaign on home soil with a resounding 42-13 win over Milawi in Christchurch this afternoon.
Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke made the most of her Fast5 debut, top scoring in the match with a 11-from-12 shooting performance from one-point range while tacking on a two-pointer as well.
Nweke and New Zealand were especially clinical during the powerplays of the match, where scoring is doubled for the final 90 seconds of each quarter.
Having already shot out to a 19-8 lead at halftime, Georgia Heffernan then essentially took the game out of reach with a scoring spree to finish the third quarter, netting three powerplay goals while Malawi were kept scoreless to push the scoreline out to 30-10.
Much of Malawi's play was stifled by the defensive efforts of Kate Burley and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson who each snared a couple of intercepts to keep the New Zealand momentum rolling.
It means the Fast5 Ferns are off to another strong start in the shortened format - a code they've had plenty of success in having won seven of the 10 events previously staged. Although they have only won one of the last three, including a third-place finish in Christchurch last year.
New Zealand will get a good gauge on where they are at strength-wise with their other two matches today with England up first at 5:15pm before the first day of competition ends with a classic trans-Tasman clash at 8:15pm.
The Silver Ferns then take on South Africa and Jamaica tomorrow, needing to finish pool play in the top two in order to book a spot in the final.
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