New Zealand has stored the Constellation Cup collection alive after clinching an exciting 56-53 win over world champions Australia in recreation three in Invercargill.
Key factors:
- Australia and New Zealand traded profitable quarters earlier than the Silver Ferns completed strongest
- The Diamonds received the primary two matches by a mixed 19 factors
- The fourth and last Constellation Cup recreation might be performed Monday in Auckland
The Diamonds held a 2-0 collection lead after profitable each matches on Australian soil and have been seeking to lock down the trans-Tasman trophy with a recreation to play.
However the Silver Ferns received a see-sawing battle on Thursday evening to maintain the collection alive. The last match is on Monday in Auckland, with the collection victor selected objective distinction.
The Diamonds have the benefit on that entrance after profitable the primary two matches by a mixed 19 targets.
Australia led 42-40 heading into the ultimate quarter however have been unable to face up to the fightback from the house aspect, who scored 16 targets to 11 to take the win.
The Diamonds led 14-10 at quarter-time, however the Silver Ferns stormed again to guide 28-24 at half-time.
Coach Noeline Taurua changed skipper and goal-attack Ameliaranne Ekenasio via the second quarter with thrilling teenager Tiana Metuarau.
At one stage down by six, the Kiwis went on a 10-goal run, ending the second quarter with 18 targets to Australia’s 10 to take a four-goal lead into the primary break.
New Zealand objective keeper Kelly Jury, who stands 192cm, continued to hassle the Australian shooters to be amongst her group’s greatest.
The Diamonds, who received the World Cup in August, confirmed their combating spirit and three straight targets by objective shooter Sophie Garbin closed the margin to a solitary objective.
The groups went toe-to-toe via the third stanza, with Australia holding on to a two-goal lead heading into the ultimate quarter-hour.
Either side had their probabilities, however the Kiwis made essentially the most of theirs and with simply over eight minutes remaining hit the entrance via Ekenasio.
The margin was nonetheless two targets with lower than two minutes to play, however sharp-shooter Grace Nweke nailed three targets to safe the victory.
Nweke, who suffered a knee harm within the pool phases of the World Cup and missed the primary recreation of this collection, completed with 34 targets from 36 makes an attempt.
Australia’s greatest within the objective circle was Garbin, who shot 21 targets from 22 makes an attempt from her 33 minutes on courtroom.
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AAP