Silver Ferns statement win over Diamonds
- Dave Worsley
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Under pressure, the Silver Ferns responded in perfect fashion to keep the Constellation Cup series alive after clinching a satisfying 61-52 win over Australia in Hamilton on Sunday.
After two heavy losses in the opening two games in Australia, the Silver Ferns revelled being back on home soil to come roaring back ahead of the series decider in Christchurch on Wednesday.
Quicker reaction with their changes of personnel through the match, the Silver Ferns got all 12 players on court, the emergence of the young brigade being a feature while a standout third quarter provided the winning impetus.
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The Silver Ferns had more ball that the Diamonds, with 67 shots at goal compared to Australia’s 58, Grace Nweke making the most of it with a 44 from 46 return as the team completed the most remarkable of turnarounds, leaving everything to play for in the fourth match-up.
A one-goal lead to the Silver Ferns after the first quarter, followed by a drawn second quarter, and a nine-goal advantage to the home side in the third while restricting Australia to just one winning quarter, the last, by one goal told the tale of the match.
The Silver Ferns recovered from a rocky start to keep the Diamonds honest through a compelling first quarter. Slumping to an early 5-1 deficit after being put off-stride by the imposing defensive duo of Courtney Bruce and Sunday Aryang, the Silver Ferns lifted across all areas of the court.
Home side defender Kelly Jackson helped limit the ball getting into the hands of dangerous shooter Sophie Garbin while persistent hustle from all the New Zealand players and the attack line finding their flow with good ball into key shooting target Nweke ignited the fightback.
Revelling in the atmosphere and not taking a backward step, it was the Silver Ferns who snuck into a 13-12 lead at the first break.
Full of energy and intensity, the Silver Ferns couldn’t have asked for a better start on the resumption, rattling in the first five goals to push out to a six-goal advantage.
With the attack line growing in confidence, the ball delivery to Nweke improved and the towering shooter made no mistake in converting. As to be expected, the Diamonds came roaring back, replacing Aryang with Sarah Klau while shooter Sophie Dwyer took over from the well-performed Kiera Austin.
The Silver Ferns also made changes with Amelia Walmsley getting her first opportunity of the series for the impressive Georgia Heffernan, at goal attack, and Kimiora Poi taking over at centre. Gordon made the move forward to wing attack. Interim captain Karin Burger was a constant presence for the home side with her relentless work on defence and availability through court on attack.
In an increasing physical outing with both sides providing exciting and committed passages in a riveting contest, the Silver Ferns holding on – with a perfect shooting record during the first half – in a drawn second quarter to claim a slim 29-28 lead at the main break.
Continuing to build in their confidence on attack, Gordon, from short range, and Kate Heffernan, from long range, delivered a flurry of perfectly-placed ball into Nweke’s hands during a dominant third quarter for the Silver Ferns.
At the other end, Jackson, and the ever-present Burger, left their mark with clutch pick-ups while negating the Australian shooting threat. Impressive Diamonds defender Bruce was forced off court after suffering a rolled ankle, prompting a raft of changes including replacing captain Liz Watson at centre with Georgie Horjus.
The Silver Ferns responded with multiple changes of their own including the introduction of rising young defender Catherine Hall at goalkeeper. Keeping on task, the home side delivered their best quarter of the series with Walmsley and Nweke combining expertly in the shooting circle to push the Silver Ferns out to a well-executed 49-39 lead at the final turn.
Making sure there was no repeat of the opening two tests which featured second half slumps, the Silver Ferns kept their intent at the forefront in a defining run to the line and ensuring there was no hint of a Diamonds comeback.