Golden Ferns down Aussies in netball final

Silver Ferns Irene van Dyk (left) and Adine Wilson celebrate after winning the gold medal match against Australia. Picture / Brett Phibbs

MELBOURNE - At last the Silver Ferns are golden.

The New Zealand netballers added Commonwealth Games gold medals to their world championship title today with a thrilling 60-55 win over arch foes Australia at Melbourne's Multi Purpose Venue.

In the end, Kiwi flair through the court and the great reach of sharpshooter Irene van Dyk won out, but they had to fight for every point against an Australian side determined to turn it into a dogfight. It was physical, it was tough, but there was no doubt the better team won on the day.

This was a victory to savour after the heartbeat-interrupting losses to the Australians in the two previous Games netball contests -- at Kuala Lumpur in 1988 and Manchester four years ago when the game went into double overtime.

And it was payback for team stalwarts Belinda Colling and reserve Anna Rowberry who had to endure those two losses -- and Irene van Dyk and Vilimaina Davu who were there in Manchester.

The Silver Ferns went into the Games campaign as favourites after demolishing Australia 61-36 in Auckland in October, but no one expected the Australians would be that easy to roll this time.

It was even to start with, but a third of the way through the first quarter, the Silver Ferns established a five-goal lead and held that to the break at 19-14, with van Dyk imperious in the shooting circle.

New Zealand's shooting made a key difference.

The Silver Ferns shot 60 of their 67 attempts at goal while Australia had one more shot but managed 55.

Van Dyk was her accurate self with 44 from 49 while Colling nailed 16 from 18. McMahon managed 22 from 28 and Cox 31 from 38.

New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken admitted she felt the tension at several stages throughout the match, when Australia would surge to the backdrop of a deafening roar.

"It's heaven and hell all wrapped up in one really. But it's the pinnacle for Kiwi netballers to play in a game like this. To come out on top is just stunning," she said.

"Australia came back as I knew they would. It was a brilliant game.

"I just thought we really kept our steel. There were a couple of times when we looked a little bit shaky but then we just went up a notch."

Aitken said the maturity of her side was apparent. They were able to keep their cool each time the scoreline narrowed.

"When they powered back in that last quarter it was always 'gosh, how's the time going and how are we going?"' she said.

"In the end, I think that we kept our basics. We kept meeting the ball, when we got tentative, that was when we were in trouble.

"In the end you have to be brave to win a game like this."

Aitken singled out veteran shooter Belinda Colling for her control around the circle and her shooting. Young defender Casey Williams also earned praise after replacing Anna Scarlett at halftime.

"For Casey, that was her very first time playing the Australian seniors and I thought she did exceptionally well," she said.

"I think we're in very good heart. But as we know Australia have made huge strides since last year and I'm sure they'll be aiming to continue."

"We'll enjoy this moment, take a breath and go back to National Bank Cup. Then start all over again."

- NZPA