The Australian netballers have won the Constellation Cup for the fifth year in a row with a convincing 55-43 win over New Zealand in the third test in Adelaide.
Gina Crampton of the Silver Ferns gets the ball from Kim Ravaillion of the Diamonds during the Constellation Cup netball match 2017. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Diamonds once again showed their class to clinch their third win in a row over the Silver Ferns after beating New Zealand in Auckland and Christchurch last week.
The first quarter was a relatively competitive affair with the hosts taking a two-goal advantage at the break.
However it began to unravel for New Zealand in the second quarter, with Australia stretching their lead to 30-19 by half time.
The Ferns were once again hurt by soft turnovers and conceded 32 penalties alone in the first half.
With the match and the series slipping out of her hands, Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby made a number of changes to try and spark her line up into life.
Temalisi Fakahokotau replaced Kelly Jury at goal keep to keep up the pressure on Australian goal shoot Caitlin Bassett while Maria Tutaia made way for Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
Maria Tutaia Photo: Photosport
Shannon Francios moved to the midcourt to make way for Samantha Sinclair at centre while Kayla Cullen came on at wing defence.
The changes paid dividends for the visitors; the Silver Ferns had a notable lift in intensity which forced Australia into making uncharacteristic errors and by the end of the third quarter the Diamond's lead had been cut to just four.
For all their good work in the third quarter, the Silver Ferns undid it in the fourth. Australia caught their opponents napping early in the final 15 minutes and quickly re-established a healthy 10 goal lead.
The Ferns once again made a raft of changes to their line up for the final quarter but it made no difference this time. Australia ended the match with a comfortable 12-goal victory.
Australia have now won seven of the eight Constellation Cup titles since it first began in 2010.
- RNZ
