Silver Ferns v Scotland: Amelia Walmsley, Martina Salmon guide touring side to 63-41 win in opening match
Monday, 10 November 2025
At Playsport Arena, Glasgow: Silver Ferns 63 (Amelia Walmsley 30 from 33, Martina Salmon 33/37) Scotland 41 (Emma Barrie 22/25, Niamh McCall 8/15, Cerys Cairns 8/11, Beth Goodwin 3/6). QT: 16-10. HT: 33-22. 3QT: 49-33.
The absence of the Silver Ferns’ frontline shooting duo was no hindrance, as the New Zealanders opened their five-match UK tour with a comfortable win over Scotland on Monday (NZT).
Amelia Walmsley and Martina Salmon proved more than a handful for Scotland’s defence in a 63-41 victory at Glasgow’s Playsport Arena - scene of next year’s Commonwealth Games which will be the Ferns’ pinnacle event of 2026.
In the absence of star shooter Grace Nweke (rested) and Georgia Heffernan (back injury), Walmsley shot 30 from 33 and Salmon 33 from 37, with the latter named player of the match. The pair shared goal shoot and goal attack duties.
The world No 10 weren’t expected to threaten the world No 2 Silver Ferns, and the touring side were always in control as they led by 11 goals at halftime.
Salmon still felt there was plenty of room for improvement as they eye a rematch with Scotland on Wednesday (8.30am NZT) before three big tests against England.
“We just went out there and did our best, but we can lift it to a whole other level. Lots of mistakes and a lot of learnings to take into the next game,' Salmon said.
“Just the finishing touches, balls that went out of court, little mistakes. We'll come together and figure out where we need to improve for the next game.”
The tour began with a backdrop of an extra time defeat to Australia in Christchurch in the four-match Constellation Cup series, and the Dame Noeline Taurua coaching saga.
Taurua was reinstated by Netball NZ as head coach after being stood down for the South Africa and Australia series, but won’t rejoin the side until next year. It left Yvette McCausland-Durie and assistant Liana Leota in charge for the UK tour.
Other fringe players got their opportunities, with Parris Mason starting at wing defence and Carys Stythe making her international debut, at goal keep.
McCausland-Durie made wholesale changes for the second half. Salmon and Walmsley switched shooting positions, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan took from Peta Toeava at wing attack while a new defence line was introduced, with Kate Heffernan, Catherine Hall and Kelly Jackson making up the back three.
They were 16 goals clear entering the final quarter.
The Silver Ferns are hoping to use this tour as a trial run for the Commonwealth Games, by replicating the tournament-based format with a succession of closely-scheduled games.
They will play five quickfire tests in 10 days, with the tour finale against England on Thursday next week (NZT).
Silver Ferns’ remaining fixtures
Wed Nov 12: v Scotland, 8.30am (NZT)
Sun Nov 16: v England, 6am
Mon Nov 17: v England, 4am
Thu Nov 20: v England, 8am