Aussie attack rocks Kiwis
Article from:
July 19, 2007 12:00am
AUSTRALIA maintained its recent dominance against world netball champion New Zealand with a 53-46 victory against the Silver Ferns last night.
It was Australia's fifth win in its past six meetings with the Silver Ferns.
New Zealand led early at Auckland's Vector Arena, but Australia took control to establish a 17-10 advantage by quarter-time.
Australia increased its lead by one goal in each of the next two quarters, to lead 31-23 at halftime and 44-35 at the final break.
Shooter Catherine Cox, who was recalled to the run-on side in place of her Sydney teammate Susan Pratley, spearheaded Australia's attack with 33 goals from 39 attempts and missed just one shot in the first three quarters.
Vice-captain and shooting partner Sharelle McMahon offered strong support with 20 goals at 77 per cent.
Australia led by as much as 10 goals early in the second quarter.
New Zealand made only minor inroads into the deficit and never got the margin below six goals in the final term.
Prolific Kiwi shooter Irene Van Dyk was the only one of New Zealand's three shooters to average over 70 per cent, scoring 31 goals at 86 per cent.
Cox apart, Australian coach Norma Plummer made one enforced change to the team that started the last Test against Jamaica.
She gave Melbourne Kestrels defender Julie Prendergast her first senior start and her second cap overall, in place of the injured Mo'onia Gerrard.
Plummer made no changes to her team throughout the game, while her New Zealand counterpart Ruth Aitken made three alterations to her starting line-up.
The two teams travel to Australia for Tests in Melbourne on Saturday and Adelaide on Tuesday.