Australia Crush South Africa in Quad Series Clash
Australian defender Chanel Gomes celebrated her international debut with a 63-31 victory over South Africa Proteas in the 2012 Netball Quad-Series at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Wednesday.
Gomes’ half-time substitute for Mo’onia Gerrard at goal defence saw her became the 157th Diamond as Australia maintained their undefeated start to the four-nation tournament with their second victory.
Catherine Cox and Susan Pratley were rewarded for their second half performance in Adelaide with a start in Newcastle as the pair picked up where they left off on Sunday, slotting 17 goals in the first quarter to see the Diamonds lead by seven quarter-time.
The mid-court combination of Chelsea Pitman, in wing attack, and captain Natalie von Bertouch, in centre, found plenty of space as they fed the shooters well from the circle edge while Mo’onia Gerrard and Rebecca Bulley owned the defensive circle.
The second quarter brought little relief for the South Africans as Cox and Pratley were on fire from around the circle, converting all 15 attempts under the post while restricting the Proteas to nine goals.
Leading by 13 at half-time, Australian coach Lisa Alexander took the opportunity to make wholesale changes, with Hallinan and Bulley the lone survivors from the first half.
WAIS athlete Caitlin Bassett and Erin Bell took the reins in the shooting circle, Madison Browne came on at wing attack, Kim Green made her first Quad-Series appearance at wing attack and the uncapped Gomes made her international debut at goal defence.
Despite the nerves, Gomes made her presence felt immediately, the 21-year old defender taking an intercept within minutes of taking the court for the first time in the green and gold.
The Australians recorded their 2000th international Test goal against South Africa with their first goal after half-time as the Diamonds extended their lead by six to head into the third-quarter up 45-26.
Shooter Erin Bell brought up a mini milestone of her own early in the last quarter as she notched her 100th international Test goal for Australia as the home side ran out 63 – 31 victors.
Rebecca Bulley was named MVP.
– Netball Australia