The Silver Ferns were beaten 54-50 by the New Zealand Men's Invitational team in their pre-World Cup netball series in Auckland.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Sharing the court for the first time in an international series, the NZ Men had to pull out all the stops to get over the line when the Silver Ferns drew level early in the run home.
Getting her first game-time of the series, Te Paea Selby-Rickit earned the starter's spot at goal attack for the Silver Ferns while Shannon Saunders (wing attack) and Phoenix Karaka (goal defence) were also included in the starting seven.
On the opposing side, there was no missing the imposing presence of the 2.18m Junior Levi, at goal shoot for the NZ Men.
With Maria Folau and Levi trading shots at either end, a late burst pushed the NZ Men out to a 15-11 lead at the first break.
The Men stretched that lead to five at half time before shooter Bailey Mes, Casey Kopua and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson entered the game and through some great defensive play narrowed the defecit to two at three quarter time.
Rebounding from Wednesday's 16-goal loss to the Silver Ferns, the All Stars team produced a resounding 99-32 win over the Fiji Pearls in the early game.
The All Stars will meet the NZ Men in the early game tonight followed by the Pearls against the Silver Ferns.
Shooting Stats - Silver Ferns:
Ameliaranne Ekenasio 22/23 (96%)
Bailey Mes 12/14 (86%)
Maria Folau 12/16 (75%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit 4/7 (57%)
Shooting Stats - NZ Men:
Junior Levi 48/52 (92%)
Daniel Jefferies 4/8 (50%)
Cameron Powell 2/4 (50%)
MVP: Jane Watson (Silver Ferns)