Diamonds crush Silver Ferns
The Silver Ferns failed to win the Constellation Cup as their sorry season finished just as it started – on a losing note.
New Zealand’s crushing 58-47 defeat against Australia in a feisty international in Wellington last night saw the Diamonds deservedly take the series 3-1.
A superb win in Hamilton on Sunday provided a glimmer of hope heading into the series decider but the Silver Ferns didn’t come close to obtaining the 14-goal winning margin they required to snatch the overall victory as they fell to their 13th defeat of the year. Keeping the pace with the slick Diamonds was hard enough.
The Silver Ferns were on the back foot early as they fell into an 18-13 hole at the end of the first quarter.
But once Australia’s lead reached double figures in the second, winning the Constellation Cup for the first time since 2012 appeared Mission Impossible.
An early advantage didn’t last long as the Diamonds swiftly took control in a very intense game where players frequently hit the deck – the biggest collision came when Sulu Fitzpatrick floored Kelsey Browne in the third quarter.
Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua was quick to use her bench with Fitzpatrick, one of the top performers for Central Pulse, injected into the game at goal keep – much to the delight of the local supporters.
Her introduction briefly sharpened up the defensive end as she relished the duel with Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett.
Ultimately though, they were unable to shut down the superior Diamonds attack as their lead hovered around 10.
Australia 58 (Caitlin Bassett 37/43 , Gretel Tippett 21/25) New Zealand 47 (Maria Folau
27/34, Te Paea Selby-Rickit 13/19, Maia Wilson 4/8, Aliyah Dunn 3/4)
Q1: 18-13, HT: 32-24, Q3: 46-33.