Diamonds Retain the Constellation Cup

The Australian Diamonds have finished off the Constellation Cup with another tight game, beating New Zealand 49-45 in Invercargill on Thursday, to take out the series.

Beginning the game with the same starting line-ups as game three, both teams were out to claim the Cup in the fourth and final game of the series.

The Diamonds came out of the gates firing turning over the first centre pass of the game.

This pressure continued throughout the whole first quarter with the Australian side heading into the first break with a six goal lead, 13-9.

The second quarter saw the New Zealand Silver Ferns make up some ground on the Diamonds, with both teams capitalising on their turnovers.

Western Australian shooter, Natalie Medhurst, made her entrance to the game in the goal attack position ten minutes into the second quarter, following the Ferns move to switch out their own goal attack in order for Maria Tutaia to take the court.

At the half time break the Diamonds still had a grip on the game, with a 22-19 lead. 

Heading into the third quarter, Diamonds head coach Lisa Alexander elected to reinstate her starting line-up, with Medhurst returning to the bench.

 The third quarter saw a tough battle between both sides, neither team backing down without a fight.

This resulted in the Diamonds outscoring the Ferns 14-13, despite having three less attempts at goal.

In the final quarter both teams came out with a new sense of urgency with the Constellation Cup on the line. 

Australian captain Clare McMeniman said “there were passages where the ball was coming up and down with no goals scored, which is a testament to both teams and the pressure they were applying throughout the full match.”

With just a minute to go the Silver Ferns found themselves within two goals of the Diamonds.

Clare McMeniman was then able to find a  turnover in the final stages of the game, enabling her side to score two goals in the final 30 seconds of the match.

The Diamonds came away with the win 49-45, and as a result retained the Constellation Cup, winning the series 3 wins to 1.

With McMeniman retiring at the conclusion of the series, Lisa Alexander said “to send Clare out as a captain on this fine win tonight, because it was an honourable win as the Silver Ferns really brought it tonight, I am terribly proud of all the girls,”

“They put in lots and lots of work and our support staff and bench were magnificent as well so it’s very, very pleasing.”

The Diamonds will now return to their own National Netball League teams to prepare for the new 2017 competition.