IN typical Australia and New Zealand style it all came down to the last game of the Constellation Cup for the winner to be decided with the Diamonds securing the trophy for the seventh consecutive time with a 53-46 victory. It was a milestone game for the Diamonds with Maddy Turner debuting, captain Caitlin Bassett playing her hundredth international game along with fellow goaler Caitlin Thwaites farewelling the green and gold announcing her retirement from international netball. But the Ferns were not to be forgotten about with long bomb specialist Maria Folau playing in her 150th cap for New Zealand.

With emotions running high for both sides, the first quarter started off how most would have expected it with great intensity, pressure and plenty of turnovers. There was no easy ball down the court with both sides contesting hard to get the early ascendancy and secure that all important lead. The Ferns started with a new look shooting combination with Folau out in goal attack and Bailey Mes getting the nod in at goal shooter with Mes using her athleticism under the post to full advantage. Mes struggled to have an impact racking up three offensive penalties while Folau continued her hot form from last week sinking the first goal of the game before Bassett answered up the other end of the court for the Diamonds. It was neck and neck early with the ball ping ponging across the court before Bassett made it two in a row to give the Aussies a one goal buffer early. Katrina Rore got off to a hot start taking a screamer of an intercept through the middle third and sending the ball down court with ease into the hands of Mes. But that did not seem to faze the Diamonds who went from strength to strength edging out to a five goal lead before the Ferns fought their way back into the contest thanks to Laura Langman and Folau. Ash Brazill took the game by storm in the opening quarter showcasing her speed and agility with timely deflections and an exceptional intercept on the circle edge. Mes’ shaky start forced changes to the Ferns attacking end with Ameliaranne Ekenasio entering the game in the dying minutes of the quarter but the Diamonds powered ahead despite the changes establishing a seven-goal lead at the first break.

The second quarter carried on much the same as the first with the Diamonds outclassing the Ferns at every turn. Noeline Taurua pulled the pin bringing Shannon Saunders on in wing attack and forcing Gina Crampton to the bench in hope to kick start the Ferns attacking end. But the Diamonds were simply undeniable putting on a clinic in the goal circle thanks to 100-gamer Bassett and excitement machine Gretel Tippett. The two combined seamlessly in attack opening up the space beautifully time and time again. Courtney Bruce made life difficult applying strong physical pressure and shutting down the space in the attacking third for the Ferns while Jo Weston lifted her intensity chasing the ball across the circle and transitioning the ball down the court with ease. The Diamonds continuously extended their lead working the ball down the court patiently and effortlessly getting out to a 12-goal lead five minutes into the quarter. The Ferns struggled in defence with Phoenix Karaka replacing Jane Watson with two minutes left in the second quarter while the ever reliable Langman took a timely intercept streaming down court with Folau converting to peg the margin back to a 13 goal deficit

Thwaites made her way onto the court nailing the first goal of the second half, but the tables turned after that with the Silver Ferns coming out with a real fire in the belly to pile on five consecutive goals to reduce the margin to eight goals. The Ferns’ shooting combo kicked into gear with Ekenasio and Folau finding their rhythm while the defensive duo of Burger and Karaka lifted their intensity shutting down both Tippett and Thwaites. Ekenasio did everything right in the third term getting into the right position at the right time and sinking them from anywhere in the circle. With the Ferns pushing, Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander made a host of changes switching Brazill into wing defence with the crowd going into overdrive while Jamie-Lee Price made her way onto the court. Moments later, Turner ran onto the court in goal defence giving the Ferns something to think about in attack. The goal defence had an immediate impact forcing a held ball against Folau in the goal circle and then quickly streaming down court.

With a nine-goal buffer at three quarter time Bassett came back on to the court but the Ferns struck first nailing the first goal of the term to set the tone of the final term. Liz Watson also returned to the court using her strength and speed to hustle for prime position circle edge racking up 15 goal assists for the match. The ball ebbed and flowed down the court with both sides throwing everything they have at it and the fatigue well and truly showing on the players face. Karaka and Burger did a wealth of work in defence to worry the feeders out of delivering the ball into Bassett and Tippett competing well in the air and at ground level. Diamonds debutante Turner impressed with a huge intercept but was not rewarded for her efforts credit to the scrappy style of play. New Zealand fought back to get within five goals with seven minutes left in the quarter but Bruce upped the intensity in the last five minutes of the quarter pushing Folau wide and limiting any easy access into the goal circle. Rore showcased her class and sheer experience with two timely tips to cut the margin back even further before Bassett and Tippett hit back to secure the win.

In her final game Thwaites finished with six goals from seven attempts, while Bassett nailed 25 from 28 at 89 per cent and Tippett slotted 22 from 23 at 96 per cent. Ekenasio made no mistake under the post with 21 goals from 23 at 91 per cent while Folau only missed two shots with 23 goals at 92 per cent. Brazill was rewarded for her outstanding performance winning the MVP credit to her three gains, two intercepts and six deflections.