Netballers relive their golden days

The New Zealanders erased horrific Commonwealth Games memories with their stirring triumph in Glasgow

You have to go right back to 2010, when they beat Australia in a fantastic double overtime final, to find the last New Zealand Games triumph.

In 2014 New Zealand beat England by a solitary goal in the semis, and were then thumped by 18 goals by Australia in the final.

In 2018, New Zealand lost to England and Malawi in pool play, limped into the semis on goal differential, then were beaten by 21 by Australia and 15 by Jamaica.

At Birmingham four years ago, New Zealand lost to England in pool play and to Jamaica by 16 in the semis.

All that makes this latest triumph all the sweeter. It was a hard-earned win against a team that upset the pre-tournament favourites Australia in the semis.

New Zealand led 16-13 at quarter-time, and 28-25 at halftime. Though New Zealand seemed to be doing the right things, their concentration wavered and Jamaica were able to claw their way back to 33-33 near the end of the third quarter.

After that, coach Noeline Taurua's team refocused and stretched the lead to 41-34 by three-quarter-time.

There was an urgency about New Zealand's passing and the way they drove through the court that hasn't always been there in recent years.

Karin Burger, Kelly Jackson and wing defence Mila Reuelu-Buchanan didn't often allow the Jamaicans the space to develop their free-flowing game. Kate Heffernan was solid at centre and wing attack Maddy Gordon had another good game, feeding goal shoot Grace Nweke some quality ball. Nweke landed 48 of 54 shots and goal attack Georgia Heffernan shot eight from nine, her play being more pointed to getting the ball to Nweke.

Taurua was in no mood to experiment and stuck to her top seven, but for introducing Kimiora Poi at wing attack for the second half.

The Jamaicans deserve credit for fighting their way back to parity after it seemed before halftime they were about to crumble. Further, they did well to regroup for the final after their emotional one-goal win over Australia the day before.

But on this day New Zealand were the better team and deserve to bask in the spotlight after some years on the Games sideline.

Taurua said she was pleased with what the team were able to show. 'They held us for about 2 1/2 quarters, then the floodgates opened. But I have the utmost respect for how the Jamaicans played.'

She said she'd emphasised ball possession in the lead-up to the tournament. 'That was one thing that was really good today. They held on to the ball and went and scored with it. The hunger was there.'

In the bronze medal play-off Australia beat England comfortably.