Diamonds too good for Silver Ferns in Constellation Cup opener
October 9, 2016
The Silver Ferns were unable to tame a relentless and dominant Australian Diamonds as they lost the First Test of the Constellation Cup 68-56 in Sydney on Sunday.
It was a tough day at the office for the Silver Ferns, who made a number of changes as they looked for a change in fortune heading towards the second clash in Launceston, Tasmania on Wednesday.
The Silver Ferns were let down by a slow start, taking time to adjust to the pace and intensity as the home team made the slickest of starts.
Australia grabbed their extra opportunities with both hands, the Silver Ferns guilty of conceding too many turnovers in the opening exchanges. With sharp shooter Caitlin Bassett impressive under the hoop, the Diamonds went on a nine-goal unanswered scoring streak to leap out to a position of control.
The Silver Ferns slowly worked their way back into contention, the long range shooting prowess of Ameliaranne Ekenasio paying dividends as the visitors clawed themselves back into the contest when Australia led 16-11 at the first break.
With shooter Bailey Mes showing her athletic ability and receiving an accurate and slick delivery from Grace Rasmussen, the Silver Ferns made the best of starts to score the first three goals on the resumption.
The visitors also secured more defensive turnover ball but struggled to contain Australia’s seamless transitional play and were let down by untimely errors.
Another withering burst from Australia and with Bassett returning a perfect 28 from 28 goals, the Diamonds headed to the main break well placed at 32-22.
Both teams made changes for the second half with the Silver Ferns introducing Te Paea Selby-Rickit at goal attack, Anna Harrison, back for her first international outing since 2014, at wing defence and Laura Langman moving from the wing to centre.
As a result, the game opened up, the Silver Ferns enjoying more ball with Selby-Rickit playing a strong hand, but Australia continued to dominant with their near-perfect ball placement on attack and accurate finishing.
Australia showed few signs of vulnerability, irrepressible defender Sharni Layton and the ever-accurate Bassett dominating their respective ends as they propelled the Diamonds to a decisive 54-38 lead at the last break.
There were more changes for the run home, Gina Crampton coming on for her debut as Silver Fern No 164. It proved to be New Zealand’s most productive quarter, the Silver Ferns taking the spoils 18-14 but unable to repair the earlier damage.
The Second Test of the Constellation Cup will be played at the Silverdome in Launceston on Wednesday night. NZ-based SilverFans can catch all the action live on SKY Sport NZ and on delay on Prime.
It was a tough day at the office for the Silver Ferns, who made a number of changes as they looked for a change in fortune heading towards the second clash in Launceston, Tasmania on Wednesday.
The Silver Ferns were let down by a slow start, taking time to adjust to the pace and intensity as the home team made the slickest of starts.
Australia grabbed their extra opportunities with both hands, the Silver Ferns guilty of conceding too many turnovers in the opening exchanges. With sharp shooter Caitlin Bassett impressive under the hoop, the Diamonds went on a nine-goal unanswered scoring streak to leap out to a position of control.
The Silver Ferns slowly worked their way back into contention, the long range shooting prowess of Ameliaranne Ekenasio paying dividends as the visitors clawed themselves back into the contest when Australia led 16-11 at the first break.
With shooter Bailey Mes showing her athletic ability and receiving an accurate and slick delivery from Grace Rasmussen, the Silver Ferns made the best of starts to score the first three goals on the resumption.
The visitors also secured more defensive turnover ball but struggled to contain Australia’s seamless transitional play and were let down by untimely errors.
Another withering burst from Australia and with Bassett returning a perfect 28 from 28 goals, the Diamonds headed to the main break well placed at 32-22.
Both teams made changes for the second half with the Silver Ferns introducing Te Paea Selby-Rickit at goal attack, Anna Harrison, back for her first international outing since 2014, at wing defence and Laura Langman moving from the wing to centre.
As a result, the game opened up, the Silver Ferns enjoying more ball with Selby-Rickit playing a strong hand, but Australia continued to dominant with their near-perfect ball placement on attack and accurate finishing.
Australia showed few signs of vulnerability, irrepressible defender Sharni Layton and the ever-accurate Bassett dominating their respective ends as they propelled the Diamonds to a decisive 54-38 lead at the last break.
There were more changes for the run home, Gina Crampton coming on for her debut as Silver Fern No 164. It proved to be New Zealand’s most productive quarter, the Silver Ferns taking the spoils 18-14 but unable to repair the earlier damage.
The Second Test of the Constellation Cup will be played at the Silverdome in Launceston on Wednesday night. NZ-based SilverFans can catch all the action live on SKY Sport NZ and on delay on Prime.