Wales 27, Silver Ferns 92
It was a wild and hugely entertaining netball evening at Ice Arena Wales.
Almost 3,000 spectators turned out to witness the first New Zealand team visit to Wales in 20 years.
Another big attendance is certain when the teams clash again at the IAW in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday evening (7.30pm).
The Silver Ferns are one of the best two teams in World netball, playing with confidence, intensity and speed which underlined their stature.
Wales, ranked number eight in the World, fought with real passion and made the Ferns work throughout.
Spectators of all ages loved the evening. After all, there has never been a netball match of this stature anywhere in Wales before.
There have been big events and Cardiff-based Celtic Dragons, who start their Superleague season later this month, put on a great show at home, but this took netball it a new level.
The evening was great fun for everybody.
Ice Arena Wales is home for Cardiff Devils ice hockey and the main rink was transformed from when the wooden boards of a netball court covered the pad. PlexiGlass which protects spectators at hockey matches was gone – and the netball court looked immaculate.
Devils had won 5-3 against Manchester Storm only a couple of days earlier, but rink staff covered the ice and the arena looked magnificent.
Suzy Drane was Wales captain, while centre Kyra Jones was at the heart of everything.
Canadian Todd Kelman, managing director of the Devils, was in charge of announcements and Wales were given a massive welcome when they emerged from the away hockey dressing room.
New Zealand’s team room for the evening was on the other side of the main arena.
“The atmosphere is awesome,” said Kelman. “It’s been a fantastic occasion.”
At half-time netball had a first when two teams of three took part in a Zorb football match. Devils do the same on ice at all of their home matches, but this was the first on a netball court.
The six players were volunteers from among the spectators, all aged over 18. They clambered into protective ‘bubbles’ which allow them to be knocked over without hurting themselves and then went head-to-head.
Netball supporters loved their first taste of Zorb football – crunching hits and plenty big challenges – and clearly adored watching Wales take on the Ferns in the first of two matches in the Swansea University International Test Series.
New Zealand are a class act when it comes to netball and clearly had the edge, but Wales showed they many qualities of their own and they made the visiting team work for hard.
The visitors had an edge, but this was a huge match for Wales as they continue preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Australia during 2018.
The starting line-up for Wales on Tuesday was: Goal-shooter Georgia Rowe, Goal-attack Chelsea Lewis, Wing-attack Bethan Dyke, Wing defence Suzy Drane, Centre Kyra Jones, Goal-defence Kelly Morgan, Goal-keeper Latish Kidner.
The Welsh substitutes were Sara Bell, Amanda Varey, Chloe James, Fern Davies and Nia Jones.
The players who started for the Silver Ferns were: GS Bailey Mes, GA Te Paea Selby-Rickit, WA Gina Crampton, C Shannon Francois, WD Samantha Sinclair, GD Katrina Grant (cat), GK Kelly Jury.
The substitutes for Ferns were Maria Tutaia, Anna Harrison, Grace Rasmussen, Jane Watson, Maia Wilson.
Period scores (Wales first): 9-22; 9-26 (18-48); 7-19 (25-67); 2-25 (27-92).
Tickets for Wednesday’s second Wales v Silver Ferns international will be available at the IAW in Cardiff Bay before the first centre pass (7.30pm).