Silver Ferns drop third Test against Australia
October 15, 2016
The Silver Ferns could not halt a resurgent Australia who stole a march in the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup with a dominant 62-50 win in the Third Test in Auckland on Saturday.
The Diamonds head to Thursday’s final Test in Invercargill with a 2-1 series lead after the Silver Ferns battled to repeat their winning Second Test efforts.
After an even first quarter, Australia hit back in emphatic fashion to dominate across the remainder of the match, shooter Caitlin Bassett putting the seal on the match with an individual personal record of 55 goals.
The Silver Ferns rewarded the winning starting seven of the Second Test, the only change in the match day 12 being the long-awaited return of experienced shooter Maria Tutaia from a long injury lay-off.
Tight and intense, the first quarter delivered all that was expected from the vital clash. Both teams employed huge defensive efforts, Australia forging an early lead before being pegged back by the Silver Ferns.
Showing plenty of patience, Silver Ferns shooters Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Bailey Mes were all poise and polish under the hoop as the home team held strong to ensure the scores were tied up at 13-all at the first break.
The Silver Ferns again pegged back an early deficit in the second quarter, Selby-Rickit belying her limited exposure at international level, a model of consistency.
But the Diamonds rock-solid defensive line which showed few chinks, and impressive feeding from Madi Robinson, in her 50th Test, and Kim Ravaillion into the reliable Bassett, helped the Diamonds finish the half with a flourish as they took a handy 29-25 lead into the main break.
Tutaia was introduced for her first international outing since last year’s Netball World Cup but the momentum was squarely with the Diamonds during the third quarter. Responding in the best possible fashion with a positive execution of the basics under pressure, the visitors made the Silver Ferns pay.
Defenders Sharni Layton and Clare McMeniman made life tough for the Silver Ferns shooters while the Diamonds also had a more seamless transition into their goal circle through the accuracy of Robinson and Ravaillion as they stretched out to a 46-38 lead at the last break.
From there it was an uphill battle for the Silver Ferns who struggled to contain Australia’s consistency, last quarter personnel and positional changes failing to stem the Australian tide.
The teams now head to Invercargill for the fourth and final Test of the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup on Thursday night – GET TICKETS.
The Diamonds head to Thursday’s final Test in Invercargill with a 2-1 series lead after the Silver Ferns battled to repeat their winning Second Test efforts.
After an even first quarter, Australia hit back in emphatic fashion to dominate across the remainder of the match, shooter Caitlin Bassett putting the seal on the match with an individual personal record of 55 goals.
The Silver Ferns rewarded the winning starting seven of the Second Test, the only change in the match day 12 being the long-awaited return of experienced shooter Maria Tutaia from a long injury lay-off.
Tight and intense, the first quarter delivered all that was expected from the vital clash. Both teams employed huge defensive efforts, Australia forging an early lead before being pegged back by the Silver Ferns.
Showing plenty of patience, Silver Ferns shooters Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Bailey Mes were all poise and polish under the hoop as the home team held strong to ensure the scores were tied up at 13-all at the first break.
The Silver Ferns again pegged back an early deficit in the second quarter, Selby-Rickit belying her limited exposure at international level, a model of consistency.
But the Diamonds rock-solid defensive line which showed few chinks, and impressive feeding from Madi Robinson, in her 50th Test, and Kim Ravaillion into the reliable Bassett, helped the Diamonds finish the half with a flourish as they took a handy 29-25 lead into the main break.
Tutaia was introduced for her first international outing since last year’s Netball World Cup but the momentum was squarely with the Diamonds during the third quarter. Responding in the best possible fashion with a positive execution of the basics under pressure, the visitors made the Silver Ferns pay.
Defenders Sharni Layton and Clare McMeniman made life tough for the Silver Ferns shooters while the Diamonds also had a more seamless transition into their goal circle through the accuracy of Robinson and Ravaillion as they stretched out to a 46-38 lead at the last break.
From there it was an uphill battle for the Silver Ferns who struggled to contain Australia’s consistency, last quarter personnel and positional changes failing to stem the Australian tide.
The teams now head to Invercargill for the fourth and final Test of the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup on Thursday night – GET TICKETS.