THE New Zealand Silver Ferns ran home in the second half to down Australia 61-43 in Perth yesterday (Sunday, October 27) to claim the 2024 Constellation Cup series.
A Netball Australia (NA) statement described the first quarter as heavily defensive which resulted in a 13-all scoreline at the first break.
With two gains recorded in the opening term, Jamie-Lee Price worked overtime to shut down speedster Kimiora Poi.
The combination between Courtney Bruce and Sarah Klau was on song early while the partnership of Sophie Garbin in goal shooter and Sophie Dwyer in goal attack continued to shine, NA said
A tougher second term piled on more pressure, with neither team able to get their hands to turnover ball and having to chip the ball around away from prying hands.
Heavy penalties across the court brought the intensity right up and released it in one swoop.
A few errant turnovers late in the half set the Ferns up with a two-goal lead at the main change.
The third quarter was a tough one to swallow as the Ferns ran away with a lead and did not relent as the errors began to pile up.
Debutant Georgie Horjus took the court to great applause from the home crowd, running out in wing attack to add another layer of speed to the Diamonds attack.
But as the Ferns’ confidence rose, the Diamonds’ spark began to falter as did the scoreline.
A harder time getting the ball through the hands-over pressure of the Ferns was the tester, with hesitancy on the feed an issue once again.
It was smooth sailing for the Ferns from there, taking a commanding lead into the final quarter before finishing off the job for the 18-goal victory and the Constellation Cup victory.