Late surge not enough for Silver Ferns in Constellation Cup opener
October 5, 2017
The Silver Ferns could not stop the Australian Diamonds from posting a 57-54 win in the opening Test of the Constellation Cup despite a stirring last quarter charge in Auckland tonight.
After trailing for much of the match, the Silver Ferns came agonisingly close in the final stanza, three times coming to within one of the Diamonds to raise hopes of snatching a late victory but unable to clinch the vital breakthrough.
A slow start in the opening stanza when the Silver Ferns trailed by four proved the difference in the end, the rest of the match being contested on level terms.
Both teams, once again, tested new-look combinations ahead of April’s Commonwealth Games and the four-Test Series which heads to Christchurch for the second match-up on Sunday holds plenty of interest between the two evenly-matched teams.
Showing greater hunger and intensity, Australia got away to an almost flawless start while confidently putting the brakes on the Silver Ferns scoring opportunities. The attacking presence of Liz Watson (wing attack) and the recalled Susan Pettitt (goal attack), helping the Diamonds make the early running.
With the Diamonds jumping out to a 17-13 lead at the first break, Silver Ferns shooters Bailey Mes and Maria Tutaia switched bibs on the resumption, the home team settling into a more evenly contested second spell.
An intense and hungry Australia had little trouble finding their shooters, captain Caitlin Bassett and Pettitt holding sway over the New Zealand defenders which helped the visitors keep their noses in front.
Wing defence Samantha Sinclair was a shining light for the Silver Ferns with her wholehearted efforts to win turnover ball.
Trailing by seven prompted the Silver Ferns to introduce Kayla Cullen (wing defence) and Temalisi Fakahokotau (goalkeeper) just ahead of halftime. The pair helped keep the Silver Ferns within touching distance after Australian defenders Gabi Simpson and Courtney Bruce threatened to break the game wide open.
A late rally kept the Silver Ferns well in the match when Australia led 29-25 at the main break.
The energetic and athletic Fakahokotau added to a lively third term as the Silver Ferns intensity levels shifted up a gear. The Silver Ferns remained staunch in the face of a threatening Australia who once again pushed out to a seven-goal margin.
With less room to move in their attacking third, the Diamonds were not quite as dominant, the presence of Fakahokotau ensuring the Silver Ferns kept Australia honest following drawn second and third quarters, the visitors maintaining their edge when leading 42-38 at the final turn.
After trailing for much of the match, the Silver Ferns came agonisingly close in the final stanza, three times coming to within one of the Diamonds to raise hopes of snatching a late victory but unable to clinch the vital breakthrough.
A slow start in the opening stanza when the Silver Ferns trailed by four proved the difference in the end, the rest of the match being contested on level terms.
Both teams, once again, tested new-look combinations ahead of April’s Commonwealth Games and the four-Test Series which heads to Christchurch for the second match-up on Sunday holds plenty of interest between the two evenly-matched teams.
Showing greater hunger and intensity, Australia got away to an almost flawless start while confidently putting the brakes on the Silver Ferns scoring opportunities. The attacking presence of Liz Watson (wing attack) and the recalled Susan Pettitt (goal attack), helping the Diamonds make the early running.
With the Diamonds jumping out to a 17-13 lead at the first break, Silver Ferns shooters Bailey Mes and Maria Tutaia switched bibs on the resumption, the home team settling into a more evenly contested second spell.
An intense and hungry Australia had little trouble finding their shooters, captain Caitlin Bassett and Pettitt holding sway over the New Zealand defenders which helped the visitors keep their noses in front.
Wing defence Samantha Sinclair was a shining light for the Silver Ferns with her wholehearted efforts to win turnover ball.
Trailing by seven prompted the Silver Ferns to introduce Kayla Cullen (wing defence) and Temalisi Fakahokotau (goalkeeper) just ahead of halftime. The pair helped keep the Silver Ferns within touching distance after Australian defenders Gabi Simpson and Courtney Bruce threatened to break the game wide open.
A late rally kept the Silver Ferns well in the match when Australia led 29-25 at the main break.
The energetic and athletic Fakahokotau added to a lively third term as the Silver Ferns intensity levels shifted up a gear. The Silver Ferns remained staunch in the face of a threatening Australia who once again pushed out to a seven-goal margin.
With less room to move in their attacking third, the Diamonds were not quite as dominant, the presence of Fakahokotau ensuring the Silver Ferns kept Australia honest following drawn second and third quarters, the visitors maintaining their edge when leading 42-38 at the final turn.