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Australia’s netball squad found some cause to celebrate after a 63-50 victory on Wednesday (October 30) over their New Zealand rivals.
In the final test of the 2024 Constellation Cup series in Melbourne, the home crowd fired up the Diamonds for their first win of the four-Test series.
Netball Australia (NA) said that despite a goal-for-goal start and topsy-turvy second quarter, the Diamonds shone bright after half-time for the win.
The defensive end was on fire from the start with Courtney Bruce able to get her hands on the ball early and continued from there.
At the other end, Liz Watson and Kate Moloney patiently worked the ball into the goal circle as Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin piled on the offensive pressure.
But even with strong performances across the court early, it was Sunday Aryang’s introduction into goal defence that proved crucial, NA said.
The defender had an instant impact upon taking the court at the beginning of the second quarter and continuously shone from there.
Despite a challenging start to the quarter, defensive pressure and smooth movement in attack enabled the Diamonds to take a six-goal lead into the main break.
Buoyed by a strong second quarter, the hosts fired up in the third quarter.
Garbin’s ability to turn herself inside out against Kelly Jackson was crucial while it seemed Austin and Aryang would be battling hard for player of the match privileges, a NA statement said.
Aryang’s timing to get high for the ball continuously gave possession back in the hands of the attack.
Jamie-Le Price’s shutdown work on first Kimiora Poi, then Clare O’Brien and Maddy Gordon, also played into the Diamonds’ hands.
The Silver Ferns had wrapped up with the series earlier with their 63-4 Cup win in Perth, the third consecutive result for the Kiwis in the 2024 series.
