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
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