By Stephanie Smarrelli
The Origin Diamonds have set the tone early in their quest to defend the Constellation Cup with a 50 to 40 win over New Zealand.
The Origin Diamonds opened proceedings in Melbourne with tight defensive pressure forcing the Silver Ferns to work the ball back before going forwards.
Building the pressure up with every moment the Origin Diamonds’ pressure was rewarded as Jo Weston ignited the crowd with an intercept.
It took awhile for the Silver Ferns to find an easy path to goal but once they did captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio steered the ship slotting goal after goal while creating space for shooting partner Amelia Walmsley.
Courtney Bruce had her eyes on the prize early, hunting every opportunity to steal the ball. While Liz Watson and Paige Hadley’s connection through the midcourt spearheaded the side down the court towards Cara Koenen and Kiera Austin on the baseline the shooting duo combining for 12 goals in the first quarter.
Koenen and Austin's connection in the goal circle was a standout throughout the match.Kate Moloney slotted into the action late in the first quarter with an injury to Hadley.
The Origin Diamonds got on the trot early in the second term with a Watson deflection to Weston being capitalised on by Koenen.
Suffocating defence from the Origin Diamonds continued to be rewarded with Austin and Koenen confidently splitting the goal circle.
Weston wore Ekenasio like a glove, preventing the dynamic goaler from finding an easy path into the goal circle and slowing the Ferns midcourters as a result.
At the end of a dominant second quarter the Origin Diamonds had pushed their lead out to nine goals, setting up a challenge for the Ferns.
The Ferns lifted their intensity in the third quarter as Walmsley started to back herself on court while in the midcourt Maddy Gordon started to have more of an impact.
Liz Watson spearheaded the Origin Diamonds midcourt.Just as it looked like the Ferns were going to put a few goals back on the board Bruce sparked the Australians with an intercept.
As the momentum started to shift Sarah Klau entered the court adding fresh legs to the side’s defence with Bruce moving into goal defence.
Sunday Aryang hit the court for the final term in wing defence creating a stark height mismatch between herself and Ferns wing attack Mila Reuelu-Buchanan.
A few contact calls against the Ferns attackers and the Origin Diamonds used the opportunities to their advantage pushing their lead back out.
The physicality between the two sides lifted as the Ferns trimmed the margin to six at the end of the third quarter.
The Ferns kept coming, starting to transition faster down the court to make it harder for the Origin Diamonds to find an opportunity to turn the ball over.
With speed though comes more pressure to be clinical and the Ferns let a few balls slip out of their control with the Origin Diamonds cleaning them up.
The intensity continued to lift across the court as the clock ticked down and the sides battle for control.
The Origin Diamond fought throughout the final few minutes to power home and win by 10 goals.
