Silver Ferns fall just short in Quad Series decider
September 4, 2016
The Silver Ferns came agonisingly close after losing 60-55 in the closing minutes to the Australian Diamonds in the inaugural Netball Quad Series decider in Melbourne on Sunday.
In a thrilling clash, where the lead changed hands 10 times, the new-look Silver Ferns produced an impressive brand of Netball as they head into a new era.
Level-pegging throughout, it was only in the dying minutes that Australia gained the edge, the Silver Ferns delivering plenty of optimism for the road ahead after the successful introduction of a new coach, new captain and new young talent.
The long rivalry between the two best teams in world Netball was evident from the outset, the game played at a cracking pace from go to whoa.
With both teams unbeaten coming into the contest, the Silver Ferns showed their intent to play the game at pace, their attacking momentum slick and accurate with the young and developing shooting combination of Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Bailey Mes shining early.
The teams went toe-to-toe through a high-scoring and entertaining first quarter. The athleticism and skill factor was a feature on the back of exciting passages of play from each team, a late surge edging Australia to a 17-14 lead at the first break.
It was the Silver Ferns who held the edge through the second stanza, the visitors scoring the first four goals as they kept Australia in check.
The stocks of defender Jane Watson continue to rise, the rookie revelling in her first international start as she teamed expertly with captain Katrina Grant in delivering a number of decisive turnovers.
Disrupting much of Australia’s attacking play, the Silver Ferns were quick to make it count, Ekenasio producing a number of successful long range shots on the back of quick ball movement and expert timing.
With Madi Robinson and Natalie Medhurst providing late punch and a goal on the stroke of half-time, Australia had levelled up, leaving the teams all tied up at 30-all at the main break.
Introducing more height in their defensive circle in the form of April Brandley paid dividends for the Diamonds on the resumption. In tandem with the irrepressible Sharni Layton, the pair kept the Silver Ferns shooters under wraps.
Caitlin Bassett was in vintage form as Australia shot out to a five-goal advantage. However, following the topsy-turvy nature of the contest, the Silver Ferns were far from done, some individual brilliance from Laura Langman and a spirited fightback leaving the Diamonds with their noses just in front when leading 44-43 at the last break.
In a thrilling clash, where the lead changed hands 10 times, the new-look Silver Ferns produced an impressive brand of Netball as they head into a new era.
Level-pegging throughout, it was only in the dying minutes that Australia gained the edge, the Silver Ferns delivering plenty of optimism for the road ahead after the successful introduction of a new coach, new captain and new young talent.
The long rivalry between the two best teams in world Netball was evident from the outset, the game played at a cracking pace from go to whoa.
With both teams unbeaten coming into the contest, the Silver Ferns showed their intent to play the game at pace, their attacking momentum slick and accurate with the young and developing shooting combination of Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Bailey Mes shining early.
The teams went toe-to-toe through a high-scoring and entertaining first quarter. The athleticism and skill factor was a feature on the back of exciting passages of play from each team, a late surge edging Australia to a 17-14 lead at the first break.
It was the Silver Ferns who held the edge through the second stanza, the visitors scoring the first four goals as they kept Australia in check.
The stocks of defender Jane Watson continue to rise, the rookie revelling in her first international start as she teamed expertly with captain Katrina Grant in delivering a number of decisive turnovers.
Disrupting much of Australia’s attacking play, the Silver Ferns were quick to make it count, Ekenasio producing a number of successful long range shots on the back of quick ball movement and expert timing.
With Madi Robinson and Natalie Medhurst providing late punch and a goal on the stroke of half-time, Australia had levelled up, leaving the teams all tied up at 30-all at the main break.
Introducing more height in their defensive circle in the form of April Brandley paid dividends for the Diamonds on the resumption. In tandem with the irrepressible Sharni Layton, the pair kept the Silver Ferns shooters under wraps.
Caitlin Bassett was in vintage form as Australia shot out to a five-goal advantage. However, following the topsy-turvy nature of the contest, the Silver Ferns were far from done, some individual brilliance from Laura Langman and a spirited fightback leaving the Diamonds with their noses just in front when leading 44-43 at the last break.