NWC2015: Silver Ferns fall just short in World Cup final   16 Aug 2015

 Australia claimed a third successive World Cup title when holding out a fast-finishing Silver Ferns 58-55 in the Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015 final on Sunday.

The Silver Ferns were left to rue a poor opening quarter when they afforded the fired-up Australian Diamonds too much of a lead, the New Zealanders rebounding with a strong reply to go on and win the next three quarters.

That was of little consolation to the New Zealanders but the outcome was another reminder of how far this new-look team has come in a short time. The team’s unity and fighting spirit was on show once again in the final, looking down and out after a disappointing opening, they showed a strong resolve to force their way back into the contest.

In her fifth World Cup, Silver Ferns defender Leana de Bruin made her customary appearance in the second half, to gain her 100^th Test Cap for NZ in a glittering international career.

There was no fairytale finish for the veteran de Bruin but the Silver Ferns can take plenty of positives out of this campaign with the introduction of exciting new talent for the future.

There were no surprises in either line-up with Katrina Grant getting her usual start at goal defence for the Silver Ferns while Julie Corletto, in her last international, filled the same position for the Diamonds.

Stung by their earlier loss in the tournament to the New Zealanders, the Diamonds started with a blockbusting opening. Built on an oppressive defensive effort, with captain Laura Geitz leading the charge, the Diamonds had the Silver Ferns chasing from early on.

At the other end, long-limber Diamonds shooter Caitlin Bassett was delivered pin-point service under the hoop as the home team quickly built a handy lead.

With nothing going right for the Silver Ferns it was all one-way traffic as Australia romped to a 16-7 lead at the first break.

It looked even more ominous when the Silver Ferns trailed by as many as 12 goals during the second stanza but slowly more activity and positive intent came to the fore as the quarter progressed, an intense and willing struggle ensuing as they fought desperately to stay in the contest.

Becoming less hesitant on attack, the Silver Ferns, still forced to shoot from distance, gradually picked up their number of attempts. Going toe-to-toe with Australia, shooter Maria Tutaia’s radar found its mark as the Silver Ferns kept the Diamonds honest.

Getting more turnover ball in their hands, the Silver Ferns produced a much more productive second stanza to win it by a goal but still with a mountain to climb when Australia led 30-22 at the main break.

The Silver Ferns garnered some hope on the back of a blistering third quarter, showing greater patience and movement on attack with shooter Bailey Mes a key figure with her rebounding ability and greater shot volume.

Through court, the New Zealanders were able to create turnovers through the exploits of Laura Langman, Kayla Cullen and Casey Kopua as a re-energised Silver Ferns chipped away at the deficit.

With Tutaia converting from all points of the circle, a late burst of four unanswered goals kept the game alive as Australia went to the last break looking over their shoulders when leading 43-37.

The Silver Ferns defenders found it difficult to breach Australia’s slick attacking line but took the crumbs on offer as they fell just short of running the Diamonds down.

Quarter-by-Quarter Scores

SILVER FERNS¦ Q1: 7 – Q2: 22 (15) – Q3: 37 (15) – Q4: 55 (18)

AUSTRALIA | Q1: 16 – Q2: 30 (14) – Q3: 43 (13) – Q4: 58 (15)

Shooting Statistics

SILVER FERNS: 55/75 @ 73%

Mes: 17/22 @ 77%

Tutaia: 38/53 @ 72%

AUSTRALIA: 58/64 @ 91%

Bassett: 48/51 @ 94%

Medhurst: 10/13 @ 77%

Starting Line-ups

SILVER FERNS¦ GS Mes, GA Tutaia, WA Rasmussen, C Langman, WD Cullen, GD Grant, GK Kopua

AUSTRALIA¦ GS Bassett, GA Medhurst, WA Green, C Ravaillion, WD Hallinan, GD Corletto, GK Geitz

Positional Changes

SILVER FERNS

Q3 – GD de Bruin

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