The Origin Australian Diamonds had a tough challenge in front of them when they returned from New Zealand, down by two matches - and 12 goals - in the battle for the Constellation Cup. No team had ever won the Constellation Cup after losing the first two matches, however, spurred on by their home crowd the Diamonds went on to win the series in a do or die final match.
Here's how the contest for the Constellation Cup unfolded.
Match One - Auckland
The Silver Ferns were too strong for the Origin Diamonds in match one of the Constellation Cup. Their zone defence challenged the Diamonds' ball movement while the connection between domestic teammates Peta Toeava and Grace Nweke was unstoppable.
Amy Parmenter became Diamond 185, donning the wing defence bib for Australia for the first time in her career.
The Silver Ferns were clinical in the first quarter scoring 20 goals to nine, setting themselves up for the first win of the series.
Once they were injected into the match Sunday Aryang, Kiera Austin and Jamie-Lee Price were able to help trim the margin between the two sides, however, the Ferns’ fast start kept them in control with the Diamonds only winning the middle two quarters.
The Diamonds lost the opening match by eight goals, but took the lessons they learnt into match two.
Speedy midcourter Amy Parmenter made her Diamonds debut.Match Two – Tauranga
Match two saw an increase in intensity from the Origin Australian Diamonds. However, the Silver Ferns took the win by four goals.
A sea-sawing start to the match and a lift in defensive pressure from the Diamonds saw the Australians take a one goal lead at halftime. However, the Ferns outshone the Diamonds with a 15 goal to nine the third quarter.
When the Ferns worked the ball into the hands of Grace Nweke under the ring, she was unstoppable, with the shooter scoring at 100 per cent from start to finish.
The Origin Diamonds had debutants across the court throughout the match with Maddy Proud, Sophie Dwyer and Ruby Bakewell-Doran becoming Diamonds 186, 187 and 188 respectively.
The win meant that the Silver Ferns had one hand on the cup, however, the Diamonds were still in with a chance to bring the cup home needing to win the next two matches and overturn the 12 goal deficit.
The Diamonds fell short in match two setting up a must win contest in Melbourne.Match Three – Melbourne
1088 days since they last played on Australian soil, in front of a sell-out crowd with the Constellation Cup on the line the Origin Diamonds showed why they’re World Number One.
From the first whistle the Diamonds meant business. Captain Liz Watson dominated the court, directing the play and hitting the circle edge with ease to feed into the goal circle 57 times throughout the match, double that of anyone else on court.
Coming into the side for an injured Sunday Aryang, Jo Weston starred alongside Courtney Bruce, the defensive duo making the Ferns work hard for every pass into the goal circle.
The Diamonds went into the halftime break with a nine-goal lead and although the Ferns came back during the third quarter to win the quarter by one, it wasn’t enough to stop the momentum and belief in the Origin Diamonds side.
The Diamonds went on to win the match by 15 goals, simplifying the battle for the Constellation Cup with the Diamonds now only needing a win in match four to defeat New Zealand.
Diamonds captain Liz Watson was at her best in front of a home crowd in Melbourne.Match Four – Gold Coast
In a winner takes all match in front of another sell-out crowd, the Diamonds were able to withstand the heat from the Silver Ferns to claim the 2022 Constellation Cup.
The Ferns had the better of the Diamonds throughout the first half of the match taking a five-goal lead into the third quarter, however, the Origin Diamonds came out breathing fire after halftime.
Amy Parmenter added speed to the midcourt while the Diamonds captain Liz Watson and vice-captain Steph Wood stepped up to the challenge.
The Diamonds converted all their third quarter gains while the Ferns struggled to find an easy path to score in a 19 goal to eight third quarter, the only quarter the Diamonds won during the match; however, it gave the Diamonds a good six-goal lead heading into the final quarter.
The teams spent most of the fourth quarter going goal for goal with the Diamonds blitzing third quarter winning them the match and the Constellation Cup.
The 2022 Constellation Cup becomes the 10th time Australia has won the series.Next on the agenda for the Origin Diamonds is England, with the Australians set to take on the English Roses this week.
For more information on each Constellation Cup match visit their match centres.
