Netball: Australia take series with win over Silver Ferns

NZ's Adine Harper looks to pass ahead of Natalie Von Bertouch. Picture / Simon Baker

Australia 46 New Zealand 40

CHRISTCHURCH - A six-goal run from Australia in the frantic final minutes of the third netball test against New Zealand proved too much for the Silver Ferns as they succumbed 40-46 in Christchurch tonight.

With the win, the Australians secured the three-test series 2-1 after winning the opening test last Thursday.

In an almost exact repeat of the first test in Wellington, New Zealand couldn't respond when Australia ramped up the pressure in the closing quarter of a match which delivered everything it should have in terms of intensity.

Both coaches elected to start with their strongest lineups.

Australian coach Norma Plummer reverted to the seven who did the job for her in the first test while Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken also stuck with the team which performed so well in Auckland on Saturday to tie the series 1-1.

The first quarter was characterised by some torrid through-court defence from both teams, with plenty of turnover ball.

A late three-goal flurry from Australia kept them in touch to trail 10-11 at the end of the first quarter.

For the Silver Ferns, goal attack Maria Tutaia looked in control, moving with confidence and sinking the long shots with assurance.

Both she and Irene van Dyk finished the quarter with a perfect success rate, sharing the shooting duties with six from six each.

At the other end of the court, Australian captain Sharelle McMahon was her usual accurate self at goal shoot, directing play well and also sinking six from six.

Susan Pratley struggled under unrelenting defensive pressure, with Anna Scarlett particularly strong under the net, and could only manage four from eight.

The second quarter was equally intense, both teams having to work hard to find their shooters and being forced back to the transverse line time after time.

Wing defence Laura Langman in particular was invaluable for the Ferns in resetting play when there was no way through Australia's long-reaching defenders.

The Australians in-circle defence of Liz Ellis and Mo'onia Gerrard worked hard in combination with wing defence Selina Gilsenan to shut down Tutaia, restricting her to just one shot on goal in the entire 15 minutes, forcing Van Dyk to take up the slack as she slotted seven from eight.

Australia's midcourt lifted their game but the full-on defensive effort from both teams was reflected in the 20-20 halftime score.

Aitken brought on Leana de Bruin at the break for Scarlett, but the supply of ball into the Australian circle was still steady and a couple of turnovers saw the Australians edge out to a three-goal lead before Tania Dalton was brought on after Tutaia took a tumble.

The Aussies built on that margin to lead by five before the Silver Ferns fought back, Dalton working well in the midcourt and feeding the ball for van Dyk to convert into points to leave the Ferns down 33-35 at three-quarter time.

New Zealand started the final quarter strongly to tie the scores at 35-35 before the Australians got on a roll and scored six unanswered goals.

Scarlett came back at goal keep for Vilimaina Davu, and Julie Seymour got a run at centre in the final few minutes for Temepara George, but there never looked any chance of a comeback.

The Silver Ferns struggled to score on their own pass in the final five minutes, and paid the price, coughing up possession too often to have any hope of securing the win or the series.

In the light of the series defeat to Australia, Aitken said there was a lot of work to be done for the Silver Ferns over the summer as they prepared to defend their world title in nine months in Fiji.

"No doubt about that, we wanted to win this series but nine months time at the world champs, it'll be all on.

"Anytime you lose, it is a psychological blow but it is what we do and how we react to it (that is important) and so I know there will be a lot of work being done over the summer.

"Certainly (we can turn this around) - we've got a lot of work to do but we can do it."

Plummer was delighted to come away with the win, paying tribute to the match-winning performances of centre Natalie von Bertouch and goal defender Mo'onia Gerrard who were returning to action.

"Natalie has been coming like a train for me and she has probably another 30 to 40 per cent to give yet," Plummer said.

- NZPA