By Sophie Taylor
The Origin Australian Diamonds started and finished strong in their final test against England, running home series victors after a 69-56 win on Wednesday night.
It didn’t come easy, but winning is in the Diamonds’ blood and that’s exactly what they did in Match 3 of the England Series to run away with the series victory in front of a sold out 4032-strong Bendigo crowd.
With both teams tied on a win apiece, tensions were high heading into the decider at Bendigo Stadium.
Bodies were flying early, and the heat was well and truly up throughout a ferocious opening quarter.
Sarah Klau and Sunday Aryang piled on the pressure from the very start, with a renewed Jamie-Lee Price adding another layer to a strong defensive start from the Diamonds.
But even with their noses ahead, the Diamonds did not have it easy against the Roses.
The loud Bendigo crowd provided a key addition heading into the second quarter, propelling the Diamonds forward with their volume and backing them in as they ran away to a nine-goal lead.
The battle between Price and young Rose Lois Pearson was the one to watch with neither player backing down in a fierce battle for dominance.
But England proved in Match 2 that they will not back down, and they showcased that again to peg back the scoreline to just six at the main change.
A massive second half came quickly and England did not relent.
But that six-goal buffer did not disappear, instead growing greater despite the fervour on court.
Smooth feeds and less frantic movement paid dividends as the two circle combinations improved more as the match went on.
With heavy challenges around the court and the likes of Paige Hadley and Kiera Austin running rampant, it did not take long during the final quarter for the Aussies to switch up another gear.
Austin did not back down, coming away with player of the match and player of the series accolades after another impressive showing.
The Diamonds ran away with an impressive 13-goal win to take out the series title and continue their strong form.
Two important final quarter gains – and a 23-goal haul at 83% - helped claim the win, alongside defensive efforts from Aryang, Klau and Price.
Sophie Garbin’s 43-goal haul was off the back of Liz Watson and Hadley’s 23 and 17 respective goal assists.
The Diamonds will have a two week break before they take on the New Zealand Silver Ferns in the annual Constellation Cup from October 20.
