IT was a history making performance by New Zealand, as the Ferns won their first Constellation Cup trophy in seven years thanks to a narrow two goal win over Australia (45-43) to sweep the series 3-1. Overcoming a half time deficit, the Ferns worked their way back into the contest against the Diamonds, ultimately overpowering them in the final term to cap off a scintillating series of international netball.

Disappointed with their previous outing Australia were quick to jump on the offensive playing with speed and dynamism down the court. Boasting the same starting seven as the match before it is fair to say that both sides were struggling with fatigue, and that was evident in the opening minutes of the term with turnovers galore. The ball zipped up and down the court continuously with neither side able to control proceedings, instead falling victim to the scrappiness of the contest. However it was the Diamonds that settled first as Kiera Austin led the charge. The goal attack seemed to have the ball on a string not only inside the goal circle but so too out the front, setting up multiple attacking forays.

With Cara Koenen well held in goal shooter thanks to the efforts of Sulu Fitzpatrick, the Diamonds attackers had to work in overdrive to find circle edge – and that they did. The Ferns struggled to combat the Diamonds through the midcourt with the long arms of Jo Weston wreaking havoc in the defensive third and through the centre, blocking the vision of Gina Crampton and forcing the wing attack out wide. The entire Ferns attacking unit had somewhat of a sluggish start to the match with neither Ameliaranne Ekenasio or Maia Wilson able to get their signature game up and running. Meanwhile the Diamonds defence was impressive, limiting the Silver Ferns to a mere six goals in the term.

Winning the opening term convincingly, the Diamonds looked to push on in the second but it was not meant to be as Ekenasio and Wilson found their groove under the post and steadily chipped away at the margin, nailing the first three goals of the game. The transitional play through the centre increased tenfold with the injection of Kimiora Poi and Shannon Saunders in at centre and wing attack respectively. Their addition to the side had an immediate impact, bringing an element of speed and energy into a somewhat stagnant frontend. Poi used her explosive change of direction and drive to the top of the circle to connect with Ekenasio and Wilson effortlessly, while Saunders weaved her magic around circle edge to deliver the ball on a silver platter to the goalers, unfazed by the big arms of Weston.

Playing with more confidence and belief, the Ferns were really starting to hum however the Diamonds continued to motor on, doing just enough to keep the scoreboard ticking over and their opponents at bay. Koenen came into the game a bit more with her baseline drives and timing really coming to the fore but her accuracy began to waver, as did Austin’s. Neither side could really be separated throughout the second term, consistently scoring off their centre pass to keep on level pegging but in the end it was the Diamonds that held the ascendancy heading into the main break.

Piling on the first three goals of the second half it looked as if Australia was going to have it all their own way before the reigning World Champions really kicked into gear. A purple patch midway through the quarter saw the Ferns completely and utterly change the course of the game and force Australia onto the back foot. Five consecutive goals to New Zealand got the home side back to within three goals as Wilson started to become a handful for Sarah Klau under the post, who despite having a hot start to the game fatigued in the third. Courtney Bruce was forced to work in overdrive to combat Ekenasio who was getting busy out the front and setting up plays for Wilson under the post while Crampton’s re-introduction into the match paid dividends for the Ferns frontend.

The partnership between Karin Burger and Jane Watson further developed as the duo blocked the movement of the Australian goalers while picking up their fair share of errant passes and creating perceived pressure. Looking to stem the bleeding, Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich rung in the changes with Verity Charles pulling on the wing attack bib and pushing Liz Watson into centre, while Jamie-Lee Price made her mark in wing defence. It took a while for Australia to settle into the changes with Charles providing that zip in attack but still struggled to unlock that fluidity in the attacking third thanks to the smothering New Zealand pressure.

With a mere goal separating the two sides at the final change, it was clear that this game was once again going to go down to the wire. Sniffing a chance to make history Noeline Taurua and her Ferns threw everything they had at the Diamonds with Wilson dominating under the post with 14 goals at 100 per cent for the term. Silky transitions and cleanliness with ball in hand was the main difference between the two sides as the Diamonds struggled to move the ball with great ease down the court whilst New Zealand seemed to have all the time in the world.

The Ferns’ ability to go on multiple goal scoring sprees throughout the final 15 minutes of play gifted them the upper hand especially in the final five minutes of play as Wilson slotted three goals straight to steal the lead. From there on the momentum lay with New Zealand as they secured an almighty two goal win, in yet another thriller.

Wilson could not be stopped under the post producing 36 goals from 40 attempts at 90 per cent and although Ekenasio did not have the same scoreboard impact, she still managed nine goals and 19 goal assists. Sam Winders got a hand in defence with four deflections while for Australia, Bruce impressed with five gains, made up of her two intercepts, four deflections and a rebound. Austin was the dominant goaler with 28 goals at 80 per cent while Koenen was down on her output with 15 goals.