The Silver Ferns, New Zealand’s netball team, began their Netball World Cup title defense in South Africa with a resounding 76-27 victory against Trinidad and Tobago. It was the 11th meeting between the two countries at World Cups, and New Zealand maintained their unbeaten record against Trinidad and Tobago in the global event.
In the opening quarter, goal shooter Grace Nweke shot a perfect 19 from 19 before being benched for the next quarter. Every member of the New Zealand squad got playing time during the match.
Throughout the game, New Zealand dominated the play, and despite some changes to their combinations, they continued to maintain the upper hand. They went into halftime with a comfortable 43-11 lead.
In the third quarter, New Zealand made further changes, and while Trinidad and Tobago increased their goal-scoring rate, the Silver Ferns were still in control with a 58-20 lead going into the final quarter.
The Silver Ferns closed out the game with a consistent lineup, winning 76-27. They will face Uganda in their second preliminary game on Saturday night. The team is aiming to become the first in New Zealand’s history to defend the Netball World Cup title.
On the opening day of matches, other leading nations like Australia, Jamaica, and England secured comfortable victories, showcasing their strength in the competition.
