The Origin Australian Diamonds have sealed the England Series with an impressive 56-48 win in Sydney.
In front of more than 14,000 fans at Qudos Bank Arena the Diamonds launched early, taking a 16-11 lead into the first break.
The combination of Kiera Austin and Cara Koenen in the circle was near seamless with Austin’s trademark quick release on full display.
GIANTS duo Jamie-Lee Price in centre and Amy Parmenter in wing defence were also impressive. The pair wreaked havoc on England's centre pass, forcing two turnovers within minutes.
Cara Koenen held strong under the post all night.The Roses struggled early to find any clear entry into Eleanor Cardwell and Helen Housby at the post and were forced backwards on several occasions, while at the other end Austin found herself home alone under the post three times.
The Diamonds stretched the lead out to six off the back of some persistent defensive pressure from Parmenter around the Roses’ goal circle.
Austin finished the first term with 8/8 to her name as well as three goal assists and four feeds.
A Klau deflection started things off in the second term but the Diamonds were unable to capitalise on her circle work.
England came to play in the second though Funmi Fadoju whose aerial game was once again on display in the Roses’ defensive circle.
The visitors managed to claw back the deficit to draw level at the eight-minute mark before the Aussies broke England’s centre pass.
A crowd of more than 14,000 turned out to watch.A Roses held ball also helped the Diamonds push the lead back out to four (28-24) by the main break but a 12-12 all second quarter left the home team with some work to do in the third.
Austin’s record was still perfect at the half, shooting 14/14 at 100 per cent.
Price also impressed with 11 goal assists and 18 feeds while England Series skipper Paige Hadley finished with eight goal assists and 12 feeds.
Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich made a change at the half, bringing Maddy Proud into centre for Price.
The Roses were quick off the mark with the first gain of the third term. Eleanor Cardwell was busy under the post, with Natalie Metcalf proving dangerous around the circle. The England captain had 13 goal assists and 19 feeds early in the third.
A Parmy pick up at the defensive circle got things going again, to get the Aussies out to seven with five on the clock.
There was also no love lost for Swifts teammates Klau and Housby. Their physical battle was certainly on show at Qudos Bank Arena.
Proud copped an accidental blow from Austin at the tail end of the third quarter and was forced out of the game.
While NSW native Sophie Dwyer stepped out on court with a minute to play to an electric cheer from the Sydney crowd.
At the final turn for home, Klau had been inspiring with five gains but it was Parmenter who was a real gamechanger with two intercepts and four deflections.
The Diamonds were in full control heading into the final term. The only change was Price coming back into the game to replace an injured Proud.
Parmy was again influential, winning a ball back for the Diamonds in the early stages of the last.
The Diamonds maintained an eight-goal buffer for much of the fourth quarter.
Dwyer really injected herself into the game with two goals and two feeds early and put the cherry on top with a trademark long bomb to seal the victory.
The Australians will now head to Brisbane where they will play the final match of the series on Thursday night.
