Australia take honours against Ferns by 7

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

By Tracy Parish, Auckland

In an inspiring performance of pressure shooting, determination and sheer class, Australia claimed victory in the Fisher & Paykel Cup against world champions, New Zealand by 7 goals, 53-46 in front of a capacity 9,000 strong crowd here at the Vector Arena in Auckland.

Australia achieved their ultimate goal of the short tour – to test their world championship preparation against the world benchmark, the Silver Ferns – and to inflict any psychological edge ahead of the titles in November.

Australian coach, Norma Plummer looked to revitalised shooter, Cath Cox and Sharelle McMahon to post a winning score, the speedy von Bertouch sisters, Natalie (Centre) and Laura (WA) to control the midcourt with Selina Gilsenan, promoted emerging star defender, Julie Prendergast into the GD role with captain and GK specialist, Liz Ellis holding down the backline.

From the opening minutes Australia’s poise and determination shone through against an evolving Silver Ferns who are clearly still tinkering with their line-up and missing the experienced drive of centre, Temepara George.

Up by three goals early in the first quarter (4-1), New Zealand looked to settle first but Australia responded, taking the thundering crowd out of the match early when they levelled at 4-all and raced to a game-breaking seven goal quarter-time lead 17-10.

Experienced shooter, Cath Cox shone up front in the circle, providing the vital target under the post and nailing 10 from 10 in the second quarter to keep Australia in control.

Cox was brilliant throughout the game, earning the Player of the Match award for a dominating presence in the circle and ability to score at crucial pressure moments in the contest.

By half time Australia led by eight, 31-23 and their shooters had missed only one goal each. Prendergast and Ellis were getting on top of Te Huna (GA) and van Dyk (GS) and the agile GA Sharelle McMahon played a vital role as a link for assisting the midcourt in delivering possession into Cox.

New Zealand coach, Ruth Aitken responded early to their scoring deficit, benching GD de Bruin and WD Scanlan, moving Seymour to WD and bringing Henry into the contest. Later Seymour replaced Langman at centre who moved into her traditional WD role.

Always in command, Australia’s midcourters Natalie and Laura von Bertouch continually penetrated the Silver Ferns suffocating zone defence to drive the ball forward into the circle.

Prendergast, playing only her second Test, showed the netball world a glimpse of her amazing physical talent, shutting Te Huna out of the match early. Aitken was forced to bring in Tutaia as GA in the second half to try to break the shackles of Prendergast’s brilliant close-checking and scintillating interceptions.

Australia was never headed after the early minutes of the first quarter and won by a comfortable seven goals.

They head to Melbourne now to contest the Holden Netball Test Series matches against New Zealand on July 21 and in Adelaide on July 24.

Match shooting stats:
Australia
Cath Cox 33 from 39 @85%
Sharelle McMahon 20 from 26 @ 77%

New Zealand
Irene van Dyk 31 from 36 @86%
Maria Tutaia 9 from 13 @ 69%
Jodi Te Huna 6 from 9 @ 86%