Silver Ferns sparkle against Diamonds (+pics)

New Zealand 38, Australia 31

Michael Bradley

Silver Ferns Laura Langman and Australia's Natalie Von Bertouch in action during the New World Netball test match between the Silver Ferns and Australia played at Vector Arena in Auckland.

Silver Ferns Irene Van Dyk and Australia's Biaca Chatfield.

Silver Ferns' Julie Seymour and Australia's Julie Prendergast

Silver Ferns' Irene Van Dyk and Australia's Bianca Chatfield and Mo'onia Gerrard

Silver Ferns' Sheryl Scanlan and Australia's Kimberley Green.

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In a dramatic performance of grit, poise and determination, the Silver Ferns claimed their first home victory over Australia in nearly two years last night and did it with surprising comfort.

Before a near-capacity crowd which included prime minister Helen Clark and Warriors captain Steven Price, the Silver Ferns were roared home by a near-capacity crowd, making their recent record against the Diamonds look ridiculous. Even Ms Clark declared them to have performed "terrifically".

Dating back to July, 2006, New Zealand had beaten Australia only twice in 10 meetings (including a loss in the world championships) but took the two-match series with this seven-point victory that always looked in prospect from the opening minute.

Having been criticised heavily for their performance in defeat at Christchurch on Wednesday, the Silver Ferns led early, nipped out to a seven-goal lead at the first break and thereafter looked faster, fitter and fresher.

With goal-attack Irene van Dyk bustling back to defend and goal-shoot Maria Tutaia taking several neat intercepts, Australia got little space, time, or opportunity to reduce that lead.

That eight-from-10 statistic seemed to play its part in the opening quarter, with the Silver Ferns starting with urgency in a frantic start which brought them an early five-goal lead.

But they made errors that allowed the Australians to level at 7-7 midway through the quarter before the unpredictable tide of the umpires' incessant whistling turned against the Diamonds. And with Australia making atypical errors, the Ferns were back in front, 12-9, at the first break.

That returning Australian captain Catherine Cox had scored just twice from four attempts at that stage demonstrated how little room she was afforded under the basket.

Joline Henry had perhaps been the most active defender in the opening spell, but the second quarter belonged to the poised figure of Casey Williams.

Williams, her eyebrow still taped from cuts sustained in Wednesday's defeat, collected three intercepts in a row. On the stroke of halftime, a looping long-range shot from Maria Tutaia gave New Zealand a 23-15 advantage and the definite upper hand. Cox and goal-attack Susan Pratley swapped roles during that spell but it didn't make an impact on the scoreline and Cox departed shortly after receiving treatment on a re-occurrence of her ankle injury.

The game lifted pace again in the final quarter, and the aggression came with it, with several contested umpiring calls and replacement Ferns defender Sheryl Scanlan finishing with similar bandaging to Williams. But despite their best efforts, winning their last quarter 10-9, Australia were never a chance of cutting back that deficit in the lowest-aggregate score in a contest between these countries in 19 years.

Ferns coach Ruth Aitken was full of praise for the defensive unit.

"There was a real passion in defence," she said.

"We went out to put pressure on them and to cut off their passing options. We worked hard in the middle of the court to do that."

She said debutant defender Katrina Grant had a "hungry nature" which complemented the athleticism of goal-keep Williams.

Beaten Aussie coach Norma Plummer refused to give the Ferns credit for the win.

"We wasted plenty of ball and you could say that was because of the Ferns putting pressure on us but it was more that we lost our way." She grudgingly admitted that star shooter Cox, who missed the first test with injury and then performed badly on her return was not quite right. "She didn't have a good night."

- © Fairfax NZ News