By Stephanie Smarrelli
The Constellation Cup has been sent to a series decider after the New Zealand Silver Ferns continued their dominant run on home soil.
In a match full of momentum swings the Silver Ferns were too good for the Origin Diamonds in Invercargill defeating them 56 to 53.
With the Constellation Cup on the line the momentum ebbed and flowed early.
Cara Koenen picked up where she left off slotting the opening goal of the match but energised in front of their home crowd New Zealand pounced.
Silver Ferns defenders Phoenix Karaka and Kelly Jury applied pressure in the Diamonds' goal circle pushing Kiera Austin into taking risky long range shots.
A few errors from the Origin Diamonds and despite plenty of hands over pressure slowing down the Ferns the Australians fell behind.
It wasn't for long though with Bruce and Weston applying defensive pressure in the goal circle creating a held ball which Koenen and Austin capitalised on.
Sunday Aryang was switched on in defence picking up a loose ball enabling the Origin Diamonds to stamp their authority and lead by four goals at the first break.
The Origin Diamonds led early.A breaking call against the Origin Diamonds gave the Ferns more confidence to start the second term.
Bruce worked herself into the game for the Diamonds beginning to reap the rewards for her efforts with an intercept allowing the Diamonds to convert another goal.
But New Zealand sparked in the middle of the quarter with Whitney Souness adding more speed to the Ferns midcourt and Tiana Metuarau switching their attack end.
As the Ferns started to inflict damage on the scoreboard and take the lead Sophie Garbin and Sarah Klau entered the court ready to tackle the challenge ahead.
Origin Diamonds vice-captain Paige Hadley stepped up in the midcourt, picking up a loose ball to ignite the Australian side while also leading the Australians for feeds.
Down by four goals at halftime the Origin Diamonds had a task on their hands.
New Zealand overtook the Aussie side in the second quarter.Jamie-Lee Price made her presence known as she took the court to start the second half, robbing the Ferns of possession with an intercept.
The match play from both sides turned frenetic with the Diamonds narrowing the gap before another win from Price gave the Origin Diamonds the lead.
With scores close again the two sides traded goals before a strong rebound from Klau enabled the Diamonds to establish a three-goal lead.
The Origin Diamonds’ suffocated the Ferns each time they looked to move into attack forcing them to pass the ball around before going into their goal circle as the clock ticked down in the third term.
At the end of the quarter the Origin Diamonds led by two goals setting up a thrilling final quarter.
The Origin Diamonds held a narrow lead at the final break.A turnover in the Diamonds' midcourt and the Silver Ferns capitalised to level the scores early in the fourth quarter.
Another error and the Ferns were able to take the lead but an intercept from Bruce in the goal circle swung momentum the Diamonds way again momentarily before the Ferns led again.
The final few minutes continued to be chaotic with both teams putting their everything into winning and maintaining possession.
But it was the Silver Ferns ahead on the scoreboard when the final whistle went.
The loss meaning the battle for the Constellation Cup will go down to the wire in a deciding clash on Monday with the Diamonds holding a 16-goal buffer in the series.
