Shining Diamonds dominant in victory

THE Diamonds are through to the Quad Series final after a hard-fought two-goal win over rivals New Zealand on Monday morning.

But their alarming trend of slow starts has continued as Australia was forced to fight back from as much as eight goals down before sealing the 59-57 win.

After the incredible draw between England and South Africa, the Aussies are the only side currently assured of a spot in Thursday morning’s final.

Who they meet won’t be determined until Wednesday’s matches are complete.

It took a baffling move by New Zealand coach Dame Noeline Taurua for the game between the Diamonds and Ferns to break apart, with 192cm Kelly Jury pushed out to goal defence.

And the big shift didn’t pay off as the almost 20cm smaller Steph Wood used her speed to cut through Jury’s defence in the fourth quarter as the match went on the line.

Wood (21/24 and 25 feeds) was named player of the match for her brilliant efforts.

“You can see the difference Wood is making,” Fox Netball’s Cath Cox said.

“She’s cutting her up with her speed and her timing. I don’t think it’s done the job for them, nor do I think the positional change of Maia Wilson at GA has really been something that’s clicked for the Ferns. But it is the time to try.”

Taurua conceded the move didn’t pay off by bringing Karin Burger back into goal defence with six minutes to play out. But by then, the Diamonds had opened a four-goal buffer that proved too great for the Ferns to overcome.

Taurua was once again able to empty her bench – the only coach to do so in both Quad Series matches.

Diamonds coach Stacey Markinkovich made just one change as she backed Ash Brazill and a hobbled Courtney Bruce to run out the match.