NetballAustralia

Diamonds claim Constellation Cup in thriller

Sunday, September 5, 2010

By Netball Australia

Australia will be the first country inscribed on the Constellation Cup after a thrilling 46-40 goal win over the New Zealand Silver Ferns in Auckland today. With scores locked at three-quarter time, the Diamonds produced a stirring final quarter effort to become the first winners of the new trans-Tasman trophy. With the Commonwealth Games in less than a month, the Australians’ Series win delivers them gold medal favouritism in Delhi.

Shooter Irene van Dyk put the Kiwis on the board first after a New Zealand turnover in the Diamonds attacking third; Maria Tutaia slotted the next one to give the Ferns the opening momentum. Patience around the goal circle gave Diamonds goal attack Natalie Medhurst her first score with a Susan Fuhrmann turnover allowing Sharelle McMahon to level the scores. With both teams taken by the occasion turnovers were common on both sides of the court early in the first quarter, with the Kiwis having particular trouble finishing off in the goal circle. Ferns goal keeper Casey Williams was displaying her amazing athleticism early, with the captain pulling in spectacular rebounds and intercepts to the delight of the 9,000-strong Auckland crowd. Despite the Williams-magic, Medhurst and McMahon stayed composed and kept the Australian score line ticking over helping the Australians to 14-9 quarter time lead.

The New Zealanders opened the second quarter with more intensity closing the Diamonds’ gap in the opening five minutes. With centre courts Laura Langman and Temepara George feeding well the Ferns looked to gain momentum and the lead, but a steadying Diamonds goal stopped the Kiwi flow with the visitors out to a three goal buffer. With a growing physicality on court players were throwing their bodies around with the Australians coming out on top stretching their lead back to five goals. Tutaia and van Dyk began to have a greater impact in the second half of the quarter bringing the margin back to goal with less than a minute on the clock. A Williams feed to van Dyk from the transverse line leveled the score 22-allwith the half-time whistle ending the quarter.

Ferns coach Ruth Aiken made one change to her line up bringing on Daneka Wipiiti to replace van Dyk in goal shooter with Wipiiti having an instant impact slotting the first goal for the quarter. McMahon leveled the scores only with Wipiiti to once again fire down the other end. The pattern continued with neither side able to pull away to a lead. With Fuhrmann working overtime against Wipiiti, the Diamonds were beginning to get turnovers in the circle however the long reach of Williams and Katrina Grant was causing issues for Medhurst and McMahon. Diamonds wing defence Renae Hallinan worked hard through the midcourt depriving George of vital ball around the circle, helping the Diamonds to once again the level the scores 28-all with five minutes to play in the quarter. A Medhurst goal gave the Australians the lead, causing the New Zealanders to call an injury break. A three-second call against the Diamonds at the centre pass after the break sent the ball into Kiwi territory with Wipiiti converting to lock the scores once again. A three-second call this time against the Ferns spun the Australians into attack with Medhurst converting the opportunity. A stepping call against Medhurst gave the Ferns the chance to once again level with Wipiiti slotting a long bomb. With intensity as high, as when the quarter started nothing could split the two teams again with an even quarter setting up a thrilling final term, scores locked at 31-all.

The Ferns opened the scoring in the final quarter only for the Diamonds to score the next three and grab a slight lead. With tension high, Wipiiti proved she was up to the challenge taking on towering Fuhrmann in the circle. With Hallinan getting over the Ferns last quarter inclusion wing attach Liana Barrett-Chase the Diamonds grabbed the slightest of momentum with 10 minutes to play in the match. Leading by example McMahon made sure the Diamonds lead grew with the Australians stretching the margin to five silencing the passionate Auckland crowd. New Zealand called an injury time to try and stem the Aussie flow with the Diamonds out to the equal biggest lead of the match. Langman rejoined the game after the break with George heading to the bench; the impact was immediate with the Ferns scoring within seconds. However the Diamonds weren’t rattled with the patient Aussies eventually shooting a return score. The Ferns centre was turned over by an agile Gerrard intercept giving the Diamonds the opportunity to stretch their lead to six. Once again McMahon stood up in the crunch to deliver another blow to the Ferns. When Medhurst made the margin seven with five minutes to play in the quarter, the Diamonds looked to have one hand on the Constellation Cup. A late fight back by the Ferns in the final five minutes was not enough with the Australians running out 46-40 winners and claiming the first Constellation Cup.

Quarter by quarter scores:

Diamonds – Ferns

Q1: 14-9

Q2: 22-22

Q3: 31-31

Q4: 46-40

Shooting Stats: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total

Sharelle McMahon: 4/5 4/5 5/6 6/8 19/24 (79%)

Natalie Medhurst: 10/11 4/7 4/5 9/9 27/32 (84%)

Irene van Dyk: 6/9 7/8 - - 13/17

Maria Tutaia: 3/7 6/8 4/6

Daneka Wipiiti: - - 5/7 7/7 12/14 (85%)