Australia repel Ferns challenge
Australia have claimed netball’s Constellation Cup.
The Diamonds produced a dominant first-quarter display and never relinquished their lead to win a physical battle 49-45 and the four-match series 3-1 in Invercargill last night.
There was no fairytale for Silver Ferns wing defence Laura Langman’s last test match before she plays in the Australian domestic competition or coach Janine Southby in her first season at the helm.
Entering the game, New Zealand needed a 22-plus goal victory to win the title, which was always going to be a near impossible task.
It was a difficult start for the Silver Ferns as Australia made them battle to maintain possession in the initial stages.
Australia made the Ferns battle to work the ball into the attacking circle with some energetic defence, while by comparison the Diamonds had few problems initially finding towering goal shoot Caitlin Bassett.
The Diamonds ran out to a six-goal lead 12-6 towards the end of the first quarter as the Ferns were heavily penalised.
By quarter time, the Silver Ferns had fought back to 13-9.
Australia didn’t miss a shot in the first quarter with Bassett 10 of 10 and Gretel Tippett by quarter time, while her opposite Bailey Mes only had 3 of 6.
There were two goal attack substitutions, as the experienced Maria Tutaia entered the game halfway through the second quarter, replacing Te Paea Selby-Rickit for New Zealand, while Natalie Medhurst replaced Tippett for Australia.
Tutaia’s injection seemed to lift the confidence of the Ferns, as they reduced the deficit to just two goals late in the second quarter, before a late goal gave Australia a 22-19 lead at halftime.
Australia stretched their lead to five goals early in the third quarter as the Australian goal keep Sharni Layton and Claire McMeniman stood strong, but then the Ferns hit back.
They closed the gap to two goals in the third quarter, but every time they scored a goal, Australia found Tippett, who had returned to the game, or Bassett who returned the favour.
By three-quarter time, Australia had restored their lead to 36-32.
The teams went goal for goal in the final quarter as the Australian Diamonds kept the Silver Ferns at arms length to grab the four-goal victory and the series.
A missed shot by Mes with the home team down by two goals with 45 seconds left sealed the fate of the brave Ferns.
The teams drew the final quarter 13-13.