A FAST-starting Diamonds side simply could not hold on against New Zealand as the home nation powered to a six-goal win (55-49). The Ferns seemed to have all the answers in the dying minutes of the game, using their speed and tenacity to keep Australia at bay despite their best efforts.

It did not take long for Cara Koenen to pick up where she left off opening the Diamonds’ account in a matter of seconds and using her strength along the baseline to exploit the Ferns defence. Her partnership with Kiera Austin came to the fore in the opening term with the two creating a wealth of space under the post and made the Ferns pay in return. Austin starred in the goal circle but also plied her trade in the midcourt showcasing her defensive nous to pick up an intercept and send her side into attack. Opening up a four-goal lead the Diamonds were well and truly humming in attack with captain Liz Watson having a huge influential through the midcourt using her fancy footwork and drive to deliver the ball into the goalers but forced to work in overdrive credit to Sam Winders. The wing defence pressured Watson on every pass, covering any easy access to the top of the circle but that was not enough to worry the Diamonds midcourter.

But the Ferns quickly answered the question piling on five goals themselves as Maia Wilson impressed with her strong holds and versatility. After missing last game with injury the inclusion of Ameliaranne Ekenasio worked wonders for New Zealand with the captain proving to be a real playmaker and allowing Wilson the added freedom under the post to work off Courtney Bruce and Sarah Klau. The momentum continued to swing between the two sides as Australia went on a three-goal spree with just a tick over five minutes to play in the first term.

Down by three goals at quarter time, the Ferns worked hard in attack to weave the ball down the court. Claire Kersten used her quick hands and connection with Ekenasio to keep the Ferns in the contest as they chipped away at the deficit. The injection of Jamie-Lee Price after Jo Weston was forced to the bench with a blood rule in the opening term was starting to come to fruition with the wing defence nullifying the influence of Gina Crampton around circle edge. The Diamonds continued their merry way moving the ball down the court with relative ease, manoeuvring through the Ferns’ defensive zone.

Unable to stop new power duo, Koenen and Austin especially along the baseline, Karin Burger made her way onto the court in goal defence, pairing up with Sulu Fitzpatrick in goal keeper. The two took some time to gel but slowly started to stem the bleeding, applying a lot of body work on the Australian goalers as their accuracy started to waiver. The consistency in defence for Australia kept them afloat with Bruce and Klau putting in the hard yards and not affording Ekenasio or Wilson a wealth of space.

The Ferns burst out of the blocks nailing six goals to one in the opening minutes of the third term, highlighting just how explosive they can be when given time and space. On the flip side, Australia seemed somewhat sluggish and laboured in the midcourt and attack with players heaping together and clogging up space.

Looking for fresh legs, the injection of Kimiora Poi was exactly what the Ferns were looking for with the energiser bunny sparking the side to life. Her drive across the attacking third kept Kate Moloney guessing with the Australian centre having to try and go toe-to-toe and match the speed of Poi across the court. Her confidence to deliver into Wilson seemed to be the turning point for the Ferns as they gained momentum and slowed down the Diamonds. Shannon Saunders was another key change for the Silver Ferns attacking unit  as the wing attack, provided a sense of composure paired with flair to keep the frontend moving and the defenders on their toes.

After being down for the majority of the game, the Ferns changed the course of their game with a mammoth effort both in defence and attack. Working in overdrive to win ball back, the Ferns managed to edge their way back into the contest with their quick fire connections and overall netball nous to keep the Australian defenders at bay and control proceedings in the circle. drawing level at the four and a half minute mark the two sides embarked on a classic battle of space and territory with neither side willing to give an inch.

But in the end it was New Zealand that pulled away, pushing out to their biggest lead of the game at the seven-minute mark thanks to their two-goal lead. That margin only increased as the term went on despite Australia making changes with Caitlin Bassett and Verity Charles entering the game. A Jane Watson intercept further sparked the Ferns outfit who were playing with a sense of urgency and intensity as they propelled the ball back down the court and applied some strong offensive efforts off the back of Wilson.

Koenen was once again the go-to girl for Australia posting 25 goals from 29 attempts at 86 per cent, while Austin managed 18 from 27 at a lowly 67 per cent, but her efforts out the front must not be discounted with the goal attack getting two intercepts and seven goal assists. Through the midcourt Liz Watson was her consistent self, recording 22 goal assists while Bruce and Klau combined for six deflections. Wilson was a rock under the post shooting at 95 per cent thanks to her 41 goals from 43 attempts while partner in crime, Ekenasio managed 14 and 19 goal assists. Jane Watson was in everything defensively amassing three intercepts, four rebounds and three deflections.

Picture credit: Michael Bradley