Sunday, July 10, 2011

Maria Tutaia's horror game

Showed her class in what is probably her last World Championship match. Missed just one of 39 attempts, and was the rock under the hoop that the Silver Ferns have leant on for years. Her near-perfect percentage compensated somewhat for Maria Tutaia's horror game - especially when Tutaia lost confidence and stopped shooting in the latter stages of the match.

Has had a terrible tournament right throughout, and her two misses at the top of the match were a sign of things to come. Simply did not sink enough attempts at goal and on a night where all other departments were even between the teams, she may just have been the difference.

Switched from wing attack to centre late in the match, but was a livewire at both. Won five crucial turnovers and linked brilliantly with the shooters and Temepara George. The past week was perhaps the best she's ever played for the Silver Ferns.

Swapped with Langman after starting at centre and had a solid enough game with some decent feeds into the circle under pressure. But perhaps lacked a little on defence, failing to effectively mark Natalie von Bertouch on several occasions.

A disappointing showing for Henry after an impressive turn against England earnt her a starting spot for the final. Again, was lackadaisical on defence at times, and lacked the x factor to put pressure on Australia.

Some spectacular defensive maneuvres from Williams earlier in the match won several turnovers for her team. Managed to rein in Natalie Medhurst who seemed in blistering form in the first half of the match, and was the lynchpin of the defence. Fell away a tad towards the end, perhaps hampered by a calf injury.

Another decent, if unspectacular game. Earnt the nod ahead of Katrina Grant and did her bit on defence to force some errors from the Australian shooters, but could have been quicker on the rebounds. Also won two turnovers.

Had very little time to impress - coming on right at the end, but managed to give away a couple of costly penalties in extra time. Failed to effectively mark Caitlin Bassett in the final minutes.
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