By Stephanie Smarrelli
The Origin Australian Diamonds have won an 11th Constellation Cup following a battle worthy of the best of enemies.
The high pressure final match went down to the wire with the Diamonds losing the match 53 to 50 but winning the series on goal differential.
Goal-for-goal the Origin Diamonds broke away to an advantage early with Paige Hadley and Kiera Austin intercepting in the midcourt.
While Sophie Garbin confidently slotted the ball through the net despite the defensive pressure from Kelly Jury and Karin Burger growing as the quarter wore on.
Jamie-Lee Price did a wealth of work in wing defence preventing the Ferns from moving quickly into attack causing her direct opponent Mila Reuelu-Buchanan to head to the bench.
The Diamonds led by three at the end of the first quarter, the difference between the two teams the general play turnovers with the Ferns sitting on six to the Diamonds’ five.
The intensity lifted in the second quarter with the Ferns’ defenders staying nimble in the goal circle to pressure the Diamonds with every pass.
Garbin held strong in the goal circle.
Jo Weston sparked with an intercept settling the Diamonds as the Ferns started to surge.
Garbin continued to be impressive pulling in feeds over the top of the New Zealand defence with Liz Watson and Hadley carefully placing the ball to her advantage.
A mistake from the Diamonds and the Ferns were able to narrow the margin trimming the Diamonds’ lead to two goals before halftime.
Courtney Bruce ignited the Australians at the start of the third term with a defensive win allowing the Diamonds to convert.
The Ferns were switched on in defence with Burger a menacing presence enabling the Ferns to work the ball to Grace Nweke who rewarded her teammates.
The Origin Diamonds continued to be pushed by the Ferns in the third quarter.The Diamonds kept ahead as the ball seesawed between the teams with opportunities for the Ferns to take the lead not being taken advantage of in the quarter.
Cara Koenen and Kate Moloney were injected into the game providing the Diamonds with some fresh speed on the court as the battled continued.
The Diamonds were able to keep their cool and converted the opportunities that came their way while the Ferns rued their mistakes.
The Origin Diamonds led by three at the end of the quarter setting up a blockbuster final term.
Every player on the court threw themselves at the ball as play became frenetic in the last quarter.
The final quarter was hotly contested between the two teams.The Diamonds gave their everything to try and stay in the lead but the Ferns powered home.
Defending the space Jury stepped up and the New Zealand side took the lead.
Sarah Klau and Sunday Aryang came onto the court switching up the Diamonds' defence in the final minutes of the match while the Ferns steadied the ship injecting captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio.
The Diamonds switched between confusing space and tight hands over pressure but fell short unable to win the ball back with the New Zealand home crowd spurring the Ferns home for the win.
Despite the loss the Origin Diamonds retain the Constellation Cup and will now turn attention to their series against South Africa.
