Australian Diamonds win inaugural Netball Quad Series

The Australian Diamonds have been named winners of the inaugural Netball Quad Series, beating the New Zealand Silver Ferns 60-55 in a thrilling decider in Melbourne.

Living up to expectations, the tussle between New Zealand and Australia was on from the get-go with the lead changing a staggering 10 times throughout the game. In part, the closeness was through the help of NSWIS player Sharni Layton delivering the sort of performance she has become known for, doggedly working to prevent the Silver Ferns’ Bailey Miles from scoring.

Fellow NSWIS players Caitlin Thwaites and Stephanie Wood joined Layton on the team for the Quad Series.

It was the Ferns who took the first break of the match, however as quarter time drew near, unanswered points from the Diamonds handed the Aussies a three-goal lead.

The Ferns shot back into contention in the second stanza, shooting the first five goals. Yet again the Diamonds fought back, working hard to see the score locked at 30-all by the main break.

Aussie coach Lisa Alexander then made a few tweaks and reshuffled the Aussie defensive unit for the third term. Acting captain Clare McMeniman moved to wing defence, April Brandley to goal defence, both changes paying off.

By the end of third the Diamonds led by one, Alexander saying the changes made in defence allowed the team to capitalise on Brandley’s height, which made the difference.

“I thought Clare did a good job to begin with but we knew April would come on and provide just that bit more height in the circle and just get up to those high balls. Not that this one (Clare) can’t do that, it is more difficult – she’s shorter and she plays a different style of game,” said Alexander.

“Then we had Clare’s blocking ability at wing defence which is just hard to move around.”

With the crowd on the edge of their seats, the Diamonds had a barnstorming finish to fire off four goals within a minute during the final 90 seconds of play, enough to secure victory.

Among the heroes for the Aussies was ace shooter Caitlin Basset who shot a test-record 53 goals for the game.

Post-game Alexander praised the show put on by the Trans-Tasman rivals, who met for the 128^th time, with the result being the 38^th time the outcome was decided by five goals or less.

“It was a great, well fought match between the two countries,” she said.

“I know New Zealand have got some younger, inexperienced players and so have we. It was just really exciting to see everyone out there. It was really well fought – a great spectacle.”

England claimed third place in the series by defeating South Africa 57-44.