The New Zealand Silver Ferns have claimed their maiden Constellation Cup title with a thrilling 50-49 victory over the Australian Diamonds at Vector Arena in Auckland on Thursday.
In Australian vice-captain Catherine Cox’s 100th Test, becoming just the fourth Australian to reach the milestone, the Diamonds were gallant in defeat. The Australians fought back from 13 goals down but just fell short of an incredible comeback.
The Diamonds made a nervous start with errant passes and staunch defending from Leana de Bruin and Katrina Grant frustrating the Australians in attack with the visitors guilty of 31 penalties and six turnovers in the first quarter.
The Silver Ferns had no such difficulty as Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia picked up where they left off in game one as the shooters were perfect in the circle, converting all 15 attempts while at the other end Erin Bell failed to put up a shot at goal attack for the Diamonds.
Trailing by nine at quarter-time, Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander made just the one change with Natalie Medhurst replacing Bell at goal attack however little changed as the Silver Ferns midcourt dominated play to extend their lead to 13 goals before the Diamonds pegged one back on the stroke of half-time.
Alexander made a host of changes at half-time with Caitlin Bassett replacing Cox in her 100th Test at goal shooter, Madison Browne and Renae Hallinan were introduced into the game at wing attack and wing defence respectively while Kim Green moved into centre for captain Natalie von Bertouch.
The substitutions provided the desired spark as Diamonds outscored New Zealand 17-10 in the third quarter to cut the 12-goal half-time deficit to just five at three-quarter time. Browne and Green picked up the pace in the Australian midcourt while Bassett and Medhurst were pin point in the circle, converting 17 from 18 attempts.
With momentum on their side, the Diamonds scored five consecutive goals early in the fourth quarter to cut the margin to two goals. The Silver Ferns fought back to extend the lead to out to five goals midway through the final quarter.
Bassett, the extra-time hero at the 2011 World Netball Championships, had the chance to send the game to extra-time with 20 seconds left but her shot came up short. New Zealand collected the rebound and the Constellation Cup with a thrilling one goal victory.
Player of the Match: Maria Tutaia
