Silver Ferns beat Aussies in first Test

16 Sep 2012, 5:48 pm   -   Source: AAP
NZ have taken a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three Constellation Cup netball series against Australia. (AAP)

NZ have taken a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three Constellation Cup netball series against Australia. (AAP)

New Zealand have taken a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three Constellation Cup netball series against Australia with a 54-52 win at Hisense Arena.

New Zealand have seized the initiative in what promises to be an absorbing three-Test netball series, beating Australia 54-52 in the first Test in Melbourne.

The Silver Ferns got on top in a third quarter which proved decisive, taking control of a rugged mid-court battle and allowing shooters Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia to finish off with deadly accuracy.

New Zealand now have home court advantage for the remaining two Constellation Cup Tests in Auckland on Thursday and Christchurch next Sunday.

Australia stuck with the Silver Ferns throughout the first half, trailing by two goals at the main break with shooter Cath Cox in superb touch.

But New Zealand grabbed the ascendancy in the third quarter - twice opening up five-goal breaks in games which traditionally hinge on a goal or two.

With van Dyk shooting at an amazing 97 per cent for the match and Tutaia going nearly as well at 26 of 29, Australia trailed by six goals early in the final period and the game looked gone.

But with coach Lisa Alexander making several changes for the final period, shooter Caitlin Bassett brought Australia back to within two goals with 80 seconds left to lift a near 10,000-strong crowd at Hisense Arena.

However Tutaia goalled soon after to put the issue beyond doubt.

Bassett shot at 88 per cent in her sole quarter on court, while Cox landed 27 of her 33 shots at 82 per cent for the match.

Australia must now replicate their efforts of last year in which they fought back from one-nil down if they want to retain the Constellation Cup.

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