Tippett sparkles as Diamonds sweep Quad Series
FORMER basketballer Gretel Tippett has helped Australia wrap up the four-nations netball Quad Series with a 60-55 win over New Zealand at Melbourne Arena.
The Diamonds completed a clean sweep of England, New Zealand and South Africa and underlined their status as the world No.1 side.
In the earlier match yesterday, England came from behind to edge South Africa 45-42.
Tippett only took up netball at 18 when, after a bout of glandular fever, she was looking to improve her fitness as she returned to the WNBL.
In her first start of the series, replacing injured goal attack Stephanie Wood, she showed her athleticism to form a strong combination in the circle with Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett.
The 25-year-old shot at 100 per cent to finish with 14 goals while Bassett landed 46 goals from 50 attempts.
Australian coach Lisa Alexander was happy with Tippett’s contribution but felt she could have added more goals.
“Overall, she’s improving but in the last quarter I would have liked her to have shot more,” Alexander said.
“It’s important for us not to put a lid on what we can create when she’s playing goal attack because I think we can change netball a little bit more.”
While the Australians led at every break, the Silver Ferns showed they were on track under new coach Noeline Taurua.
After going almost point for point in the opening quarter, the Diamonds broke away for a five-goal margin.
They maintained that lead at halftime despite the best efforts of New Zealand goal attack Maria Folau, who had her best game of the series.
Teenage goal shooter Aliyah Dunn chimed in with 10 goals from 10 attempts off the bench in the final quarter while veteran midcourter Laura Langman looked sharp after a two-year absence.
Australian goal keeper Courtney Bruce also continued her strong form, earning her second MVP of the series.
The lead went out to a game-high 10 early in the final quarter but the Diamonds struggled to put their opponents away.
The Australians held on but there were signs their longstanding rivalry has resumed.
“Nothing is pretty at the moment and nothing is seamless but the group is building well and we will continue to do that over the next 12 months leading into the World Cup,” Alexander said.
Taurua was pleased with the progress of her team and looked forward to the Constellation Cup starting next month.
“I’d like to improve our physicality a wee bit but overall I thought it was a great fight,” she said.