Sharp … defender Mo'onia Gerrard covers off Chrisna Bootha. Photo: Getty Images
WELLINGTON: With the end result never in doubt, it was the manner of the win that mattered, and Australia delivered a mixed bag as they downed South Africa 68-36 in their quad series match yesterday.
The comfortable win was similar to the 63-31 scoreline from last week's match in Newcastle, although there were still a few communication lapses and coach Lisa Alexander would probably have been happier with fewer turnovers and a lower error rate. Alexander had targeted a strong start from the Diamonds, but it was the South Africans who came out with more intent.
Sparked by a live-wire performance from centre Bongiwe Msomi and rookie wing attack Nadia Uys, the Proteas snuck out to an early 5-4 lead and managed to match the Australians until midway through the quarter.
But once the Australians found their timing, their accuracy into shooter Caitlin Bassett proved all but unstoppable, with goal attack Erin Bell working hard to provide extra variation on the drive into the circle.
The Diamonds were missing the cool head of Natalie von Bertouch at centre, Alexander opting to rest her captain after she rolled her ankle in last Sunday's 20-goal win over New Zealand in Sydney.
The new-look midcourt had a distinctly inexperienced tinge to it - Chelsea Pitman and Madison Browne have fewer than 30 caps between them, and wing defence Chanel Gomes made her international debut a week ago.
The versatile defender impressed with a 60-minute effort in a player-of-the-match performance that featured excellent work on transition as well as gritty defence. The young midcourters played with pace and patience in constantly swinging the South African defence to open up the gaps.
Ahead 19-9 after 15 minutes, and 33-18 at half-time, the Diamonds ran with a completely rejigged line-up for the second half including a fresh shooting combination that featured Central Pulse favourite Caitlin Thwaites at goal shooter and Susan Pratley at goal attack.
The new combination took time to bed, with lapses in timing resulting in a flurry of turnovers in the third quarter. However, the Diamonds took a 48-28 lead into the last 15 minutes, extending the margin as the Proteas tired to take the final spell 20-8 and underline a dominant win.
Meanwhile, former Australian captain Sharelle McMahon will return to the trans-Tasman competition in 2013 after signing a one-year contract with the Melbourne Vixens. Shooter McMahon, the second most capped Australian player of all time with 118 appearances, didn't play in this year's competition because she was pregnant. She gave birth to son Xavier in August.
It's believed McMahon is the first Australian player to return to the competition after giving birth.
''Even before my pregnancy I felt like I had unfinished business on court,'' McMahon said. ''I wanted to wait and see how my pregnancy went before I made a decision.''
AAP
No comments:
Post a Comment