Silver Ferns fall just short in Constellation Cup finale
October 20, 2016
Made to work hard by a gallant Silver Ferns, the Australian Diamonds retained the New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup with a 49-45 win in Invercargill on Thursday.
Unable to prevent a 3-1 series win by the Diamonds, the Silver Ferns capped the last Test of the international season with a spirited and encouraging performance.
Stalwarts Maria Tutaia and Anna Harrison, who both missed the early part of the season through injury, were standouts in the final outing where the Silver Ferns challenged the Diamonds all the way.
In a new era, the road ahead looks promising for the Silver Ferns who introduced five new caps in 2016, the most since 1994.
It was the visitors who made the first move in the series finale, shooters Caitlin Bassett and Gretel Tippett receiving precision ball in prime positions under the hoop as the Diamonds shot out to a six-goal lead.
Australia’s defiant defence also proved pivotal, the Silver Ferns miss-firing with their passing accuracy before unleashing a strong finish as the visitors went to the first break with a 13-9 lead.
The struggle for the Silver Ferns to get the ball into the circle continued on the resumption where the dynamic defensive work of captain Clare McMeniman, in her final Test, and the irrepressible Sharni Layton put the brakes on the home team.
Both teams replaced their goal attacks, Tutaia and Natalie Medhurst being introduced during the second stanza which coincided with a change in fortunes for the home team.
Hanging on grimly, the Silver Ferns showed the fighting spirit with defenders Katrina Grant and Anna Harrison picking up timely turnovers as shooters Tutaia and Bailey Mes got their hands on more ball, and trimming the Diamonds margin to 22-19 at the main break.
The Diamonds once again threatened to take the ascendancy early in the third quarter before the Silver Ferns found their flow and penetration on attack.
With the experienced Tutaia playing an influential hand with her accuracy, deft offloads and composure, the Silver Ferns remained well in the contest during a riveting third stanza.
With energetic midcourter Laura Langman in the thick of action and Harrison and Grant continuing to create turnover opportunities on defence, the Silver Ferns closed to within two but were ultimately let down by lapses at critical moments.
The Diamonds retained their buffer to lead 36-32 at the last break and with it the promise of an exciting run to the line. However, the Silver Ferns were unable to nail a late opportunity to snatch the match, the Diamonds holding on for a hard-fought win.
Unable to prevent a 3-1 series win by the Diamonds, the Silver Ferns capped the last Test of the international season with a spirited and encouraging performance.
Stalwarts Maria Tutaia and Anna Harrison, who both missed the early part of the season through injury, were standouts in the final outing where the Silver Ferns challenged the Diamonds all the way.
In a new era, the road ahead looks promising for the Silver Ferns who introduced five new caps in 2016, the most since 1994.
It was the visitors who made the first move in the series finale, shooters Caitlin Bassett and Gretel Tippett receiving precision ball in prime positions under the hoop as the Diamonds shot out to a six-goal lead.
Australia’s defiant defence also proved pivotal, the Silver Ferns miss-firing with their passing accuracy before unleashing a strong finish as the visitors went to the first break with a 13-9 lead.
The struggle for the Silver Ferns to get the ball into the circle continued on the resumption where the dynamic defensive work of captain Clare McMeniman, in her final Test, and the irrepressible Sharni Layton put the brakes on the home team.
Both teams replaced their goal attacks, Tutaia and Natalie Medhurst being introduced during the second stanza which coincided with a change in fortunes for the home team.
Hanging on grimly, the Silver Ferns showed the fighting spirit with defenders Katrina Grant and Anna Harrison picking up timely turnovers as shooters Tutaia and Bailey Mes got their hands on more ball, and trimming the Diamonds margin to 22-19 at the main break.
The Diamonds once again threatened to take the ascendancy early in the third quarter before the Silver Ferns found their flow and penetration on attack.
With the experienced Tutaia playing an influential hand with her accuracy, deft offloads and composure, the Silver Ferns remained well in the contest during a riveting third stanza.
With energetic midcourter Laura Langman in the thick of action and Harrison and Grant continuing to create turnover opportunities on defence, the Silver Ferns closed to within two but were ultimately let down by lapses at critical moments.
The Diamonds retained their buffer to lead 36-32 at the last break and with it the promise of an exciting run to the line. However, the Silver Ferns were unable to nail a late opportunity to snatch the match, the Diamonds holding on for a hard-fought win.