A nervous start under the post for the Australians saw the visitors gain a 5-0 lead in the opening five minutes with the Diamonds unable to convert from around the circle.

With Catherine Cox putting the first Australian score in at the 10 minute mark the Diamonds began to settle, scoring the next three goals to bridge the gap.

Irene van Dyk dominated the Silver Ferns circle to keep the New Zealand score line ticking over while Catherine Cox began to find her eye keeping the Australians in touch.

Thanks to some impressive intercepts from debutant Renae Hallinan the Australians leveled the score with three minutes to go, with both teams finishing with 10 goals at the first change.

The Australians opened the scoring in the second quarter taking the lead for the first time in the game. But it was not for long with Ferns captain Casey Williams beginning to have more of an impact on the game.

With Williams turning the ball over and van Dyk coverting down the other end the Silver Ferns retook the lead and the momentum.

An injury time called brought Joline Henry into the game at goal defence replacing Katrina Grant.

With the score going goal for goal, New Zealand were able to maintain their three-goal edge going into the main change.

Home crowd favourite Susan Pratley entered the fold at goal attack in the third quarter moving captain Sharelle McMahon to shooter and Cox to the bench.

The Ferns opened the scoring in the third quarter pushing their lead to five goals however the Pratley, McMahon combination began to fire with the Australians beginning to get on top.

With Julie Corletto and Susan Furhmann causing van Dyk and Maria Tutaia grief in the circle the Australians closed the gap to two with three minutes to go.

Going goal for goal, the Ferns led 39-37 going into the last change.

A Henry intercept in the first 30 seconds of the final quarter pushed the Ferns out to a four goal lead but a steady and calm McMahon ensured the Australians put scores on the board.

With six minutes remaining the Diamonds were able to break through New Zealand’s three goal buffer reducing the margin to one goal with an injury time called.

But the New Zealanders began to fire with the Williams` long arms causing trouble for the Diamonds shooters, the Ferns pushing the gap to five goals.

A resurgent Diamonds fired back thanks to some fierce play from Kimberlee Green however some Australian errors and loose passes let the Ferns take a 53-50 victory.

The Diamonds will next meet the Silver Ferns in Melbourne on September 9.