A high quality, controlled performance by the World 7 has given them a 48-44 victory over the Silver Ferns in the 1st Test of the New World International Netball Series at the TSB Bank Arena in Wellington tonight.

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The Silver Ferns were forced to play catch-up Netball against the talented World 7 in their first test of a long international season.

The visitors, a combination of talent from across Australia, England, Jamaica and Samoa, had only three days together before the first test.

There were few surprises in the Silver Ferns starting seven, the main features being the return of livewire midcourter Temepara George to international netball and Laura Langman moving back to wing defence. The dynamic George slotted into centre after a two-year absence from top flight netball, while the athletic Langman made a return to the position where she first made her mark after being played mainly in the centre/wing attack roles during the last two years.

With a wealth of experience, the World 7 opted for a defensively strong line-up spearheaded by England internationals Geva Mentor and Sonia Mkoloma. Resident New Zealand Samoan representatives Cathrine Latu (goal shoot) and Frances Solia (wing attack) and former Australian players Natasha Chokljat (centre) and Megan Dehn (goal attack) were included in a competitive World 7 mix.

Respective shooters, Irene van Dyk for the Silver Ferns, and Latu for the visitors were prominent contributors in the opening stanza. Van Dyk revelled in the accuracy and speed of delivery from dynamic midcourt duo George and Liana Barrett-Chase while Latu renewed her National Bank Cup combination with Dehn, the pair having played together for the Northern Force, to great effect.

The new-look Silver Ferns midcourt showed plenty of promise with the combined flair and speed of George, Barrett-Chase and Langman just breaking down on occasion through lack of time together. The accuracy of Latu gave the World 7 a 13-12 edge at the first break.

With a lift in tempo, the World 7 had the better of the second quarter with effective one-on-one defence pressuring the Silver Ferns into turnovers as the visitors stretched out to a five-goal lead. Some trademark Casey Williams' intercepts kept the Silver Ferns in the hunt, but the exploits of the Peta Scholz (wing defence) and the in-circle combination of Mentor and Mkoloma kept the home team under the pump. Player of the Match Latu continued to thrive under goal thanks to some smart service from Solia, Chokljat and Dehn as the World 7 held sway on proceedings to lead 25-22 at halftime.

Joline Henry was introduced at goal defence for the Silver Ferns on the resumption to help stem the World 7's flow. The move paid dividends but the World 7 grabbed their opportunities with both hands showing greater composure on attack and under the hoop to take a handy 38-34 lead going into the last break.

In the final quarter, Maree Bowden came on at wing attack for the Silver Ferns while rangy defender Demelza McCloud was introduced for the World 7. Pulling out all the stops, the Silver Ferns tried valiantly to reel in the World 7 with a bold last quarter rally. But the experience, spread of talent and control from the visitors was enough to hold out the Silver Ferns.

The 2nd Test is in Rotorua on Wednesday evening, 26 August - click here to buy your tickets.

Slideshow Image: Michael Bradley