• New Zealand 55-51 Australia
The Silver Ferns heaped more netball misery on Australia with a 55-51 win in the first Constellation Cup netball Test in Invercargill on Sunday.
The loss extends the Diamonds' losing streak to five matches, including a three-Test series loss to England.
The last time Australia beat the Silver Ferns was in October last year when they won by 20-goals.
In front of a sell-out 2700-strong crowd, and missing some key players, the Silver Ferns led at every quarter, but weren't assured of victory until the final couple of minutes.
The Kiwis worked hard to keep the Australians on the back foot, forcing turnovers to give them a 19-14 lead after the first quarter.
Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander then tweaked her midcourt, benching Madison Browne, bringing on youngster Kim Ravillion at centre and shifting Kim Green to wing attack.
At the other end of the court, Bianca Chatfield came on for Bec Bulley at goal defence, and although the new line-up took time to gel, the Diamonds finished the quarter with a three-goal burst to narrow New Zealand's lead to 31-29 at halftime.
Leana de Bruin replaced Katrina Grant at the back after the break, New Zealand looking to rein in towering Diamonds shooter Caitlin Bassett whose height and accuracy were proving an effective combination.
Anna Thompson took over the wing attack bib, and the Kiwis lifted to open out to a six-goal lead early before the Diamonds narrowed it back to two in a see-sawing third quarter.
The Kiwis finished with a seven-goal run to lead 45-37 with 15 minutes remaining, forcing the Australians into another raft of changes which included introducing Natalie Medhurst at goal attack, and Sharni Layton at goal keep for captain Laura Geitz.
The Silver Ferns extended the margin out to 11 early in the last quarter, but the Diamonds battled back with relentless intensity and a New Zealand victory wasn't assured until the final minute. Reported by guardian.co.uk 19 hours ago.
The Silver Ferns heaped more netball misery on Australia with a 55-51 win in the first Constellation Cup netball Test in Invercargill on Sunday.
The loss extends the Diamonds' losing streak to five matches, including a three-Test series loss to England.
The last time Australia beat the Silver Ferns was in October last year when they won by 20-goals.
In front of a sell-out 2700-strong crowd, and missing some key players, the Silver Ferns led at every quarter, but weren't assured of victory until the final couple of minutes.
The Kiwis worked hard to keep the Australians on the back foot, forcing turnovers to give them a 19-14 lead after the first quarter.
Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander then tweaked her midcourt, benching Madison Browne, bringing on youngster Kim Ravillion at centre and shifting Kim Green to wing attack.
At the other end of the court, Bianca Chatfield came on for Bec Bulley at goal defence, and although the new line-up took time to gel, the Diamonds finished the quarter with a three-goal burst to narrow New Zealand's lead to 31-29 at halftime.
Leana de Bruin replaced Katrina Grant at the back after the break, New Zealand looking to rein in towering Diamonds shooter Caitlin Bassett whose height and accuracy were proving an effective combination.
Anna Thompson took over the wing attack bib, and the Kiwis lifted to open out to a six-goal lead early before the Diamonds narrowed it back to two in a see-sawing third quarter.
The Kiwis finished with a seven-goal run to lead 45-37 with 15 minutes remaining, forcing the Australians into another raft of changes which included introducing Natalie Medhurst at goal attack, and Sharni Layton at goal keep for captain Laura Geitz.
The Silver Ferns extended the margin out to 11 early in the last quarter, but the Diamonds battled back with relentless intensity and a New Zealand victory wasn't assured until the final minute. Reported by guardian.co.uk 19 hours ago.