Australia stuns NZ 51-47 in netball Test
12/10/2006 07:33:03 PM
Australia has pulled off an upset 51-47 win over New Zealand to draw first blood in their three-Test netball series.
The Australians trailed for much of the game but finished strongly as the usually formidable Silver Ferns crumbled.
It was Australia's first win in New Zealand in five years and second in a row against the world champions.
Australia grabbed a two-point advantage at the outset of the game but turnovers soon after regaining possession helped New Zealand draw even.
After the two sides traded goals, the Silver Ferns surged ahead late in the first quarter, putting on five unanswered points with goal attack Maria Tutaia excelling under the net and took a 15-11 lead at the break.
Down five points early in the second, Australia stayed in touch and then took advantage of several penalties against New Zealand in attack to make four successive scores and draw even.
Turnovers to New Zealand, two of them forced by goal keeper Vilimaina Davu, saw them regain the advantage to take a 26-23 lead into halftime.
A close third quarter saw the Silver Ferns get as much as four points ahead before a few rare misses by Irene van Dyk and the consistency of Australian shooters Sharelle McMahon and Susan Pratley brought it back to all square at 37-all at three-quarter time.
Australia grabbed the lead with the first score of the final stanza and the match looked headed for a cliffhanger as the two sides exchanged scores.
But a five-point streak gave Australia control of the game and they held out New Zealand as time ran out.
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