Late push helps Diamonds secure second Test
October 22, 2015
A late burst pushed the Australian Diamonds out to a 58-48 win over the Silver Ferns in the second Test of the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup in Auckland on Thursday.
Backing up their six goal win in the first Test, the second Test result did not reflect the closeness of a cracking match in what was Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu’s last game in charge on New Zealand soil.
The remaining two matches will be played in Australia over the next week but the Silver Ferns showed plenty of character to remain well in contention during the second and closely-fought encounter until the score blew out in the closing minutes.
There was much to admire from the Silver Ferns play which showed a marked step up in all facets from the first Test, the New Zealanders matching the Diamonds for much of the match before late lost opportunities proved their undoing.
Both teams made changes to their starting line-ups of two nights ago, the Silver Ferns exercising just a minor tweak with Katrina Grant getting the nod from the opening whistle at goal defence ahead of Leana de Bruin while Jodi Brown retained the goal attack bib.
For the Diamonds, Claire McMeniman took over at wing defence for injured vice-captain Renae Ingles (nee Hallinan).
There was a noticeable lift in intensity for the second clash, the match starting at a fast and furious clip from the outset and which showed no lessening of enthusiasm or intent throughout.
Brown and fellow shooter Bailey Mes were on song early for the Silver Ferns, good positioning by Grace Rasmussen on the circle edge setting up strong shooting positions. The Silver Ferns achieved the goal of getting more ball into Mes’ hands, the lofty shooter being ably supported by the playmaking skills of Brown.
In a tidy first quarter by both teams, where towering goal shoot Caitlin Bassett proved a key asset for the Diamonds, it was the visitors who had the only crucial break through the first quarter to take a narrow 14-13 lead at the first break.
A big lift in cumulative defensive pressure paid dividends for the Silver Ferns on the resumption. The intense pressure exerted by Grant and wing defence Kayla Cullen produced turnover opportunities as the Silver Ferns turned up the heat.
At her crafty best, Brown provided a third feeding option on attack while Mes continued to showcase her athletic ability. The shooting duo also proved useful assets on defence, the pair picking up an intercept apiece to help the Silver Ferns produce an unanswered four-goal scoring streak to push out to a handy four-goal lead.
The match continued to ebb and flow between the two evenly matched teams, experienced goal attack Natalie Medhurst helping Australia narrow the margin before the New Zealanders forged another four-goal advantage.
Again the Diamonds surged back purposefully to leave the match delicately poised at 27-all at the main break.
Both teams made changes for a thrilling third stanza, the Silver Ferns opting to introduce Phoenix Karaka (goal keeper) and de Bruin (goal defence) for Casey Kopua and Grant respectively while Gabi Simpson came on at wing defence for the Diamonds and McMeniman took over from Sharni Layton at goal defence.
Some individual touches of brilliance by tireless centre Laura Langman helped the Silver Ferns keep their noses in front for much of a high octane third quarter before late changes helped Australia wrestle back the initiative.
Former basketballer Gretel Tippett came on for her Diamonds debut at wing attack while Ameliaranne Wells took over at goal attack from Brown.
Despite the best efforts of the energetic combination of de Bruin and Karaka, it was Australia who finished strongly to take a 43-40 buffer into the last break.
Backing up their six goal win in the first Test, the second Test result did not reflect the closeness of a cracking match in what was Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu’s last game in charge on New Zealand soil.
The remaining two matches will be played in Australia over the next week but the Silver Ferns showed plenty of character to remain well in contention during the second and closely-fought encounter until the score blew out in the closing minutes.
There was much to admire from the Silver Ferns play which showed a marked step up in all facets from the first Test, the New Zealanders matching the Diamonds for much of the match before late lost opportunities proved their undoing.
Both teams made changes to their starting line-ups of two nights ago, the Silver Ferns exercising just a minor tweak with Katrina Grant getting the nod from the opening whistle at goal defence ahead of Leana de Bruin while Jodi Brown retained the goal attack bib.
For the Diamonds, Claire McMeniman took over at wing defence for injured vice-captain Renae Ingles (nee Hallinan).
There was a noticeable lift in intensity for the second clash, the match starting at a fast and furious clip from the outset and which showed no lessening of enthusiasm or intent throughout.
Brown and fellow shooter Bailey Mes were on song early for the Silver Ferns, good positioning by Grace Rasmussen on the circle edge setting up strong shooting positions. The Silver Ferns achieved the goal of getting more ball into Mes’ hands, the lofty shooter being ably supported by the playmaking skills of Brown.
In a tidy first quarter by both teams, where towering goal shoot Caitlin Bassett proved a key asset for the Diamonds, it was the visitors who had the only crucial break through the first quarter to take a narrow 14-13 lead at the first break.
A big lift in cumulative defensive pressure paid dividends for the Silver Ferns on the resumption. The intense pressure exerted by Grant and wing defence Kayla Cullen produced turnover opportunities as the Silver Ferns turned up the heat.
At her crafty best, Brown provided a third feeding option on attack while Mes continued to showcase her athletic ability. The shooting duo also proved useful assets on defence, the pair picking up an intercept apiece to help the Silver Ferns produce an unanswered four-goal scoring streak to push out to a handy four-goal lead.
The match continued to ebb and flow between the two evenly matched teams, experienced goal attack Natalie Medhurst helping Australia narrow the margin before the New Zealanders forged another four-goal advantage.
Again the Diamonds surged back purposefully to leave the match delicately poised at 27-all at the main break.
Both teams made changes for a thrilling third stanza, the Silver Ferns opting to introduce Phoenix Karaka (goal keeper) and de Bruin (goal defence) for Casey Kopua and Grant respectively while Gabi Simpson came on at wing defence for the Diamonds and McMeniman took over from Sharni Layton at goal defence.
Some individual touches of brilliance by tireless centre Laura Langman helped the Silver Ferns keep their noses in front for much of a high octane third quarter before late changes helped Australia wrestle back the initiative.
Former basketballer Gretel Tippett came on for her Diamonds debut at wing attack while Ameliaranne Wells took over at goal attack from Brown.
Despite the best efforts of the energetic combination of de Bruin and Karaka, it was Australia who finished strongly to take a 43-40 buffer into the last break.