The Australian FastNet Diamonds head into the semi-finals of the World
Netball Championship undefeated after concluding the round robin phase
with victories over England, New Zealand FastNet Ferns and South Africa
on Sunday morning in Liverpool.
Australia are the first team in the World Netball Series history to
complete the group stage of the competition with five victories and the
second to go through undefeated after Jamaica achieved the feat in 2010
with four wins and a draw.
Australian FastNet Diamonds (28) defeated England (25)
The Australian FastNet Diamonds overcame a three-goal three-quarter time
deficit to beat England 28-25 in the opening game of day two at the
World Netball Series in Liverpool. With scores level 6-6 at
quarter-time, England used their power play in the second quarter to
take a three goal lead at halftime. Australia held onto their power play
until the fourth quarter which paid dividends as the FastNet Diamonds
pinched victory late in the match.
Australia v England
Q1: 6-6
Q2: 13-16 (England Powerplay)
Q3: 18-21
Q4: 28-25 (Australia Powerplay)
Player of the Match: Serena Guthrie (England)
Australian FastNet Diamonds (23) defeated New Zealand FastNet Ferns (22)
Nail biting finishes between the trans-Tasman rivals continued in
Liverpool with the FastNet Diamonds coming from behind to defeat New
Zealand by a single goal. The Australians set up victory in the third
quarter by outscoring New Zealand 10-6 while both teams were on the
power play to turn a three goal halftime deficit into a one goal lead
heading into the last. In a tense final quarter FastNet Diamonds
shooters Susan Pratley and Carla Dziwoki held their nerve and accuracy
to secure the solitary goal victory over New Zealand.
Australia v New Zealand
Q1: 4-6
Q2: 8-11
Q3: 18-17 (both Powerplays)
Q4: 23-22
Player of the Match: Ashleigh Brazill (Australia)
Australian FastNet Diamonds (35) defeated South Africa (21)
The Australians completed a flawless group phase with a comfortable
14-goal victory over South Africa to head into the finals on the back of
five consecutive victories. The winners were slow to find their feet as
South Africa led twice in the first quarter, however Dziwoki found her
range to give the FastNet Diamonds a two goal margin at quarter-time.
The Australians looked comfortable and extended their lead at halftime
and three-quarter time to four goals and eight goals respectively,
despite resting key players for the finals. Both sides opted to use the
power play in the final quarter as Australia cruised home to victory.
Australia v South Africa
Q1: 8-6
Q2: 15-11
Q3: 23-15
Q4: 35-21 (both Powerplays)
Player of the Match: Vanessa Ware (Australia)
The Australian FastNet Diamonds will be looking to progress to their
first World Netball Series grandfinal when they take on England in the
first semi-final while defender champions New Zealand play Jamaica in
the second semi-final.
