As the Constellation Cup reaches its halfway point, we take a look at whats happened so far and what lies ahead in the final two test matches between the Aussie Diamonds and the Silver Ferns.
The Constellation Cup is a four match test series between rivals Australia and New Zealand with two matches taking place in each country. It is always a eagerly anticipated series that displays netball of the highest quality. Here is how the 2017 Constellation Cup has gone so far..
The story so far
Following New Zealand’s Quad Series victory over Australia, Lisa Alexander’s side would have wanted to get back to winning ways over the Silver Ferns at the first opportunity. They did on New Zealand soil, with a 57-54 win in Auckland. Sharp shooter Caitlin Bassett converted 39 of her 43 attempts at goal which helped the Diamonds on their way to go 1-0 up in the series.
Christchurch held the next game, in which the Silver Ferns needed to win to keep their hopes of a series win alive. The Diamonds were too strong however, and secured a 60-52 win that puts them 2-0 up in the series. Despite the efforts of Maria Tutaia and Te Paea Selby-Rickit, the Silver Ferns couldn’t get that elusive win which now leaves them a up hill battle to try and level the series as they will need to win the next two games on Australian soil.
Whats next?
The results so far leave Australia firmly in the driving seat as a win in either of their last two games will secure them the 2017 Constellation Cup. The first of the two final games takes place on the 11th of October in Adelaide with the final game of the series taking place three days later in Sydney. New Zealand will know that only a win can avoid them from a series defeat.
Results/Fixtures
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Top Goal Scorers
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(Photo credit – Mark Barker)