Gallant Silver Ferns pipped at the post in Series Decider

In a pulsating conclusion, Australia reclaimed the Constellation Cup after the final match went to the wire, with the Diamonds pipping the Silver Ferns 12-11 after it was forced into a Series Decider in Christchurch on Wednesday.  

With Australia leading the series 2-1 heading into the decider, the Silver Ferns were in must-win territory to keep their hopes of retaining the Constellation Cup alive. And they did just that after clinching a 62-57 win after 60 minutes.

In an initiative introduced for the Constellation Cup last year, the winner of a drawn series is determined by a Series Decider, involving two seven-minute halves being played following a 12-minue break for the teams.

With key midcourters Kate Heffernan and Maddy Gordon hampered by cramp, the Silver Ferns had to dig deep from their bench personnel for the Series Decider.

The New Zealanders had the edge early on before being reeled in by the Diamonds, who took a 7-5 lead into the first break.  As they have done throughout the New Zealand leg of the series, the Silver Ferns showed their resilience and ability to stay in the contest.

Down by three with just a couple of minutes to go, a turnover helped the Silver Ferns level up at 11-all with just over a minute to go. Australia showed their poise and experience to run down the time expertly and nail the winner with time almost up.

From two record defeats in Australia, the Silver Ferns showed plenty of ticker on home soil, the introduction of a host of young talent showing bright prospects for the team moving forward.

Searching for answers after trailing by six at halftime of the fourth match, the Silver Ferns made multiple changes for the third stanza with Gordon moving to wing attack, Kate Heffernan to centre, Karin Burger to wing defence and impressive youngster Catherine Hall coming off the bench and into goal defence.

The changes had the desired effect with an inspired revival, particularly Hall, who with a run of rebounds, tips and blocked shots belying her inexperience.  Gordon’s punch on attack and feeding to key target Gace Nweke under the hoop put the home side on the front foot on attack while Heffernan was the mainstay through the middle.

Australia also made changes but the impetus stayed with the Silver Ferns despite missed opportunities as they closed the gap to a 46-43 deficit at the last turn.

As has happened throughout the series, one quarter in each test has proved pivotal. On this occasion it was the fourth quarter as the women in black produced a stirring comeback. With defenders Kelly Jackson and Hall proving menacing obstacles in blocking shots and picking up rebounds, the Silver Ferns hit top gear to finish with a flourish, overtaking Australia and steaming ahead to hit fulltime with a 60-57 lead and forcing the match into a Series Decider.

The possession stakes evened up considerably with Nweke under enormous pressure from imposing goalkeeper Courtney Bruce playing a leading hand and returning a personal haul of 56 goals from 59 attempts.

Abrasive, intense and physical, all the ingredients were on show from the first whistle, with every ball contested and both sets of shooters making a nervous start.

Showing great patience on attack, Diamonds’ shooters Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin found their groove while rewarding a late run of turnover opportunities for the visitors who made the most of the extra ball to burst out to a 17-12 lead at the first break.

With the Silver Ferns employing a largely successful long bomb strategy into Nweke, the home side level-pegged with the Diamonds on the resumption. However, it was the defence ends which dictated how the game progressed.

The Diamonds were a suffocating presence across the court, slowing the Silver Ferns progress while picking up turnover opportunities. The Silver Ferns lacked the same opportunities on defence while the patience and ball placement of the Diamonds on attack was a key feature.

Shooters Garbin and Austin combined expertly with their timing and ability to find space. At the other end Nweke had her eye in but the New Zealanders lacked the volume of their opponents.

In a competitive second stanza, the Diamonds shaded the Silver Ferns by a solitary goal to forge a handy 33-27 lead at the main break before the home side changed the course of the match in a stirring spectacle.