New Zealand netball coach Ruth Aitken gave the Silver Ferns a cautious pass mark as they completed the first phase of their Commonwealth Games buildup with a 62-40 win in the second test against Jamaica here last night.
After a patchy 58-35 first test win in Christchurch last Wednesday, Aitken was looking for a better start in Napier, as well as a reduced turnover rate.
Both those goals were achieved: the Silver Ferns led 11-10 after the first quarter in Christchurch, but started with power and composure at Napier's Pettigrew Green Arena to lead 20-12 after the opening 15 minutes.
A significant part of that improvement came from goal attack Maria Tutaia, who lifted her game after a below-par effort in the first test.
"I had to pull something out of the bag after Wednesday night's performance," Tutaia said.
"I know what I'm capable of, and I did a lot of uncharacteristic things on Wednesday.
"Tonight, it was just me being more confident with my play, believing in myself and knowing that the other six players out there on court are going to back me up when times are tough."
With New Zealand ahead 35-21 at halftime, Aitken rang the changes although she conceded the premeditated changes had taken some time to settle.
"But to be fair, those lines have not had a lot of time together and it did show. You have to appreciate that the Jamaicans weren't giving up -- there were a few errors, we'd lose our centre pass and they got back into the game."
New Zealand won the third quarter 13-12, before regathering to shut the Sunshine Girls out 14-7 in the final spell to secure the win.
"It was great the group out there were able to settle themselves down. It did take a little longer than I would have liked, but it's hard to be seamless all the time at this early stage."
Heading into a three-test series against Australia, beginning in Adelaide next Sunday, Aitken was happy to have been able to give all her squad game time in the opening three tests of the international calendar against Samoa and Jamaica.
"We're really at the early stages," she said.
"We got 12 players on court over the two games, which is pretty phenomenal. We got a lot of turnover ball but then we gave it straight back. We'll want to work on being more consistent through the four quarters."
Consistency was also a primary focus for Jamaican coach Connie Francis, who had been vocal at the disappointing play of some of her senior players in the 0-3 series loss against Australia and in the two New Zealand tests.
Despite the margin of last night's loss being similar to Wednesday's, she was happier with last night's effort.
Goal shoot Romelda Aiken, who had been struggling to readapt to the Jamaican style after a season of trans-Tasman league play, stepped up with an improved effort.
She shot 33 from 38 for an 87 percent success rate, better than New Zealand shooter Irene van Dyk's 30 from 35 at 86 percent.
Aiken also showed more determination and drive with her work outside the circle than she has for some time.
"I thought we handled their pressure in the third quarter much better than before, we just let the game get a little bit away from us," Francis said.
"But I am proud of their effort, especially where Romelda is concerned, because I though she had a fantastic game."
Midcourt Nadine Bryan also pleased Francis but it was a trio of youngsters in goal keep Malysha Kelly, wing defence Sateva Taylor and goal attack Anna Kaye Griffith who received her highest praise.
"We brought in three youngsters, a 19-year-old goal keeper, a 19-year-old goal defence and a rookie goal attack who is just improving every step of the way."
The trio will keep pressure up in the squad once defender Althea Byfield and captain Simone Forbeds return for October's New Delhi Games, and will banish complacency, Francis said.
"We know that at times we do lapse, so we have to get these girls prepared to go in and try to fix any damage.
"The Silver Ferns have beaten us, but they know we still remain a threat."
