Shooting accuracy seals three-peat FAST5 title for Australia

Australia have completed a hattrick of FAST5 Netball World Series in Christchurch with a 34-30 win over the FAST5 Ferns.

They were forced to come from behind to grab their third win after the home side raced out to a commanding lead early in the game.

But some clutch shooting in the third power player swung the fortunes as Australia slashed the deficit and then the accuracy from finals MVP Reilley Batcheldor, who sunk two two-pointers early in the fourth quarter, put the visitors in the box seat.

FAST5 Ferns captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson said she was incredibly proud of what her team had produced in the final, they were just unable to do it for the full 24 minutes of fast-paced play.

“We did everything that we wanted to do, we just didn’t do it for the whole time,” she said.  “And credit to Aussie, they just didn’t give up.”

Australia had beaten the Ferns 41-26 in pool play but took time to find their feet against a Ferns team backed by a vocal home crowd.

A strong showing in the first power play, thanks to four points each from the tournament’s fan MVP Martina Salmon and Maia Wilson, gave the Ferns a 13-5 lead at quarter time.

Intercepts to Kate Burley and Sokolich-Beatson gave the Ferns the initiative in the second spell as they raced out to a 23-8 lead before Australia closed the gap to nine at the main break.

Lucy Austin looked to get the Australians back into the game with two two-point plays while the Ferns opted for the safe points under the hoop.

Australia’s accuracy at range set up an exciting final spell, trailing 24-28 with six minutes to play and with Batcheldor netting two key two-point goals early in the fourth quarter had grabbed the lead.

Restricting the New Zealanders to just two points in the deciding spell was pivotal although the Ferns had one last chance to steal the game with Salmon eyeing up a shot at goal for maximum points, unable to find the target in the dying seconds of play.

Meanwhile, NZ Men’s defender Timothy Apisai was named FAST5 Netball World Series player of the tournament at the presentations after the finals.