AUSTRALIA has won its series with England after winning the third and final test 69 goals to 56 in a dominating performance.

Although the Roses pushed the Diamonds for much of the match, a lack of defensive turnover generation really hurt the visitors and the Diamonds ultimately ran away with the match in the final term.

Initially things were about as even as they could be though, but the Roses were able to move the ball down court with a little bit more ease than the Diamonds were. However, the first proper turnover and subsequent centre pass break did go in the Diamonds’ favour thanks to a held ball, so their defensive pressure did rise.

This seemed to spark something in the Diamonds, who started to bank up the turnovers.

The Roses did get a bit of a spark in the back end of the first quarter as they started to rack up some defensive turnovers of their own, but the Diamonds managed to snuff that out quickly and regain control.

Despite the Diamonds seemingly being in control of proceedings, their lead was far from one they could rest their laurels on.

The home side ultimately led by three goals at the first change.

Defensive turnovers continued to be the Achilles Heal of the Roses in the second term as Australia continued to rack them up and capitalise on them down the other end, while the Roses were just unable to get any of them. The occasional time the Roses did pick up a defensive turnover, they did not make the most of it up the other end.

The intensity was well and truly up though as many players from both sides were flying or ending up on the floor after a contest.

The margin did get close to double figures in the second term, but ultimately sat at six in Australia’s favour at the main break.

Despite seeming to be so much more in control of the match than their opponents, Australia only had six percent more time in possession in the first half than England. However, the Diamonds had double the number of gains and the intercept count was five to one for the half.

In the first half of the third term, the teams were impossible to split. The teams went goal for goal, and no one could register a gain or an intercept.

Australia did manage to break this goal for goal run late and add a few goals to its lead, and as such took an eight goal lead into the final change.  

Off the back of the momentum generated at the end of the third term the Diamonds came out firing in the final term, scoring seven of the first 10 goals of the final term to really blow out their lead.

England continued to tinker with its on court line up, but the Roses could not seem to find the solution as Australia maintained a comfortable lead right until the final siren.

In perhaps a true sign of how the match went, the Roses made five different changes to their on court line up before Australia made its first, late into the last quarter.

Kiera Austin had another huge game out at goal attack for the Diamonds, winning Player of the Match and Player of the Series after leading the gains count alongside Sarah Klau, who dominated back at goal keeper. Liz Watson also had a huge game, finishing with 38 feeds and 22 assists to lead her side in both categories.

Meanwhile for the Roses Helen Housby was a true leader on court for her side, recording more feeds than any of the English midcourters. Olivia Tchine also had a strong game at goal shooter and really took her opportunity with both hands.

AUSTRALIA        16 | 14 | 20 | 19 (69)
ENGLAND         13 | 11 | 18 | 14 (56)

STARTING SEVENS

Australia

GS: Sophie Garbin
GA: Kiera Austin
WA: Liz Watson
C: Paige Hadley
WD: Jamie-Lee Price
GD: Sunday Aryang
GK: Sarah Klau

England:

GS: Olivia Tchine
GA: Helen Housby
WA: Lois Pearson
C: Imogen Alison
WD: Beth Cobden
GD: Funmi Fadoju
GK: Fran Williams