Australia’s stranglehold on the annual netball series continued after beating the fast finishing Silver Ferns 53-46 at Perth’s RAC Arena on Sunday.
Leading 2-1 going into the final test of the series, New Zealand were determined to get their hands on the trophy for the first time since 2012. Ending the year with the Constellation Cup and Netball World Cup would have been a huge accomplishment for the Ferns, who were at a low ebb 12 months ago.
New Zealand were in all sorts of bother at the main break, trailing 31-18 – their largest halftime deficit to Australia in some time.
New Zealand were right in the hunt, cutting Australia’s lead to four with six minutes left (45-41. The Diamonds kept their nerve when it counted, having struggled in the second half of this series, with the Ferns running out of time.
The Ferns were left to rue what might have been after a sloppy first half, where they left themselves with too much work to do after halftime.
It was a limp first half from the Ferns, who were desperate for a big performance in veteran shooter Maria Folau’s 150th test.
Folau, who became the second Fern to play 150 tests, joining skipper Laura Langman, was probably playing her last game in the black dress, having not signed for any club in New Zealand or Australia for 2020.
She slotted 23 goals from 25 attempts in her milestone appearance.
Australia took a deserved 16-7 lead into the first quarter break, stifling New Zealand on attack and forcing them into 14 turnovers in the opening 15 minutes.
Diamonds skipper Caitlin Bassett, in her 100th test, capitalised from some crisp feeds, landing 10 from 11 in the quarter.
Clearly unhappy with her attacking end, Taurua made another change to begin the second quarter replacing Gina Crampton at wing attack with Shannon Saunders.
Nothing was going New Zealand’s way with Australia going on a 5-1 burst to start the second quarter, blowing the Diamonds’ advantage out to 21-8.
By halftime, Australia were out to a convincing 31-18 lead with Bassett impressing, landing 19 of 21 first half attempts.
Goal keep Jane Watson had held her own against Bassett in this series, but she went to the bench just prior to halftime given the Australian’s dominance, being replaced by Phoenix Karaka.
Taurua would have been livid by New Zealand’s lethargic play on attack in the first half, committing an alarming 25 turnovers. There were some questionable umpiring calls at times, but the Silver Ferns only had themselves to blame for several silly held ball calls and thrown away ball.
To their credit, it was a different Ferns side after halftime.
They outscored Australia 28-22 in the second half, playing some fine netball and causing jitters in the Diamonds’ camp.
Just when it looked like the Ferns were about to seize the lead, Australia stood tall ensuring Caitlin Thwaites, in her last test, and centurion Bassett had the last laugh.
AT A GLANCE
Australia 53 (Caitlin Bassett: 25/28, Gretel Tippett: 22/23, Caitlin Thwaites: 6/7) New Zealand 46 (Maria Folau: 23/25, Ameliaranne Ekenasio: 21/23, Bailey Mes: 2/4. Quarter scores: 1Q: 16-7, HT: 31-18, 3Q: 41-32.
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