The Silver Ferns have beaten the England Roses 58-45 in the first international netball since Covid-19 brought the game to a screaming halt.
Photo: Photosport
The last time the Ferns played was in the Nations Cup in January.
It also marked a long awaited debut for Monica Falkner who has worked hard to come back from an ACL injury.
The Silver Ferns, having the benefit of more match play than the Roses, looked clinical from the get go in the first of three Test matches in Hamilton.
Look back at how the match unfolded here.
They finished the first quarter leading 15-10 with goal shoot Maia Wilson carrying on where she left off in her MVP performance against the New Zealand men on the weekend.
The second quarter started as a goal for goal affair and stayed that way until Silver Ferns' coach Dame Noeline Taurua made two changes.
Claire Kersten was brought on for Shannon Saunders at centre and Karin Burger for Sam Winders at wing defence.
It seemed to make a difference, with the Ferns finally breaking the deadlock after nine minutes.
Sulu Fitzpatrick on her return to international netball came out for a number of flying intercepts.
Fran Williams was the stand out player for the Roses, grabbing a number of intercepts at goal defence.
The Silver Ferns won the second quarter by three, taking a 32-24 lead into the half-time break.
New Southern Steel recruit George Fisher came on at goal shoot for the second half, replacing Eleanor Cardwell who shot 88 percent (15 from 17).
Fisher showed a lot of grit and finished with 81 percent accuracy (18 from 22)
Imogen Allison won her first Test cap for England when she came on for a stint in the second quarter.
It was another goal for goal scenario for some time as England refused to go away but the Ferns again finished stronger of the two sides, winning the third quarter by three.
In the last few minutes of the game, Winders came back on at wing defence, and Whitney Souness took over at wing attack.
Silver Ferns' captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio had an outstanding game shooting at 92 percent.
With just under four minutes left Monica Falkner got her first Test cap, when she came on at goal attack.
Fitzpatrick picked up the MVP award.
The two sides meet again on Friday before the Taini Jamison series wraps up on Sunday.
