The Quad Series concluded over the weekend in a packed out Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
Yet again the Quad Series produced another memorable series as Australia regained the title following a clean sweep of victories.
The second half of the Series came to Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Going into the final set of fixtures New Zealand needed to beat Australia to stand any chance of defending their title. During the last Quad Series, the Silver Ferns did beat the Diamonds on the final day to capture the title. However, this time round it was a different story.
Australia 67 – 48 New Zealand
Half of the first quarter was very evenly balanced with the score tied at five all. The tide began to turn however, with the Diamonds being clinical in the final third. They raced ahead by eight goals, leading 17-9 at quarter time.
The Silver Ferns made a whole host of changes in the second quarter, changing their entire starting seven. The Diamonds maintained their lead however, leading 35-22 at the half time interval.
Australia continued to extend their lead after half time. Susan Pettitt came on at Goal Attack in the third quarter and added to the goals. Pettitt scored 18 goals during her time on court. The score read 54-37 going into the final break.
The lead was too much to overturn for the Silver Ferns as the game finished 67-48 to the Diamonds. This was Australia’s biggest win over New Zealand since October 2012. The win also meant that Australia are once again Quad Series champions.
South Africa 47 – 52 England
The final game of the Series saw another close game between the Proteas and the Roses. Both sides have been playing very well as of late and the form continued during this match.
Back in September, in the last Quad Series, it was South Africa who came away with the win, winning 54-51. The atmosphere inside Ellis Park certainly added to this game.
Both sides exchanged goals in the early stages of the first quarter. The Roses did take the lead in the later stages, taking a three goal advantage into the second fifteen.
They began to build a significant lead after the first interval, extending the lead to eight goals. The Proteas began a fight back after half time. England’s lead did remain at eight but the quarter was tied at thirteen all.
South Africa came out firing in the final quarter and continued to cut the Roses lead. At one stage the lead was reduced down to just two, but a few interceptions in the mid court allowed England to steady the ship. The Proteas did win the final quarter 12-9 but it was the Roses who won the game securing a second placed finish – their highest ever in a Quad Series.
Full Results
| January 20th (3pm), Copperbox Arena, London |  | 50 | 54 |  |
| January 20th (6pm), Copperbox Arena, London |  | 64 (AET) | 57 |  |
| January 22nd (7:45pm), Copperbox Arena, London | | 46 | 50 | |
| January 22nd (7:00pm), Ellispark Arena Arena, Johannesburg | | 46 | 51 | |
| January 28th (12pm), Ellispark Arena Arena, Johannesburg | | 67 | 48 | |
| January 28th (2:30pm), Ellispark Arena Arena, Johannesburg | | 47 | 52 | |
Final Standings
| Wins | Losses | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | England | 2 | 1 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | South Africa | 0 | 3 |
Photo credits – Netball Australia, Netball South Africa
