Proteas threaten to steal Diamonds’ sparkle

THE Diamonds survived a scare to protect one of the longest winning streaks in Australian sport with their 58-52 Quad Series defeat of South Africa in Canberra last night.

Australia has not lost to South Africa for 54 years and before last night had an average winning margin of 21 goals against them.

The six-goal margin was the closest between the two countries in 50 years.

The Diamonds had to surge from behind after trailing a side now coached by former Australian boss Norma Plummer.

“They kept edging back at us,” captain Caitlin Bassett said. “We knew they would be showing a lot of improvement and we were ready. But it was definitely too close at times.”

After falling by seven goals against New Zealand on Saturday, the Proteas more than matched it with the experimenting Diamonds in the first half.

But the class of the Australians showed through in the end.

South Africa paid for a slow start, trailing 4-0 early before finding its feet to match the Australians goal for goal in the first quarter, going to the break trailing 14-11.

But in the second period a five-goal run saw South Africa forge ahead by two, prompting a shooting change at the Australian end with Gretel Tippett joining match MVP Caitlin Thwaites as a replacement for Tegan Philip.

At halftime the two sides were level at 27-27 before the Diamonds went on a five-goal run to take back control.

Thwaites ended the match with 30 from 33 to earn the top game honours with Philip netting 5:8, Tippett 16:20 and captain Bassett 7:7.

Australia now goes to New Zealand to take on a Silver Ferns side weakened by the loss of star shooter Maria Tutaia, who is on bereavement leave.

Her absence was noticeable as the Silver Ferns were downed by England in a 49-45 upset last night.

A win in Sunday’s Quad Series finale will see the Diamonds defend their crown.