8.30pm - By GREG TOURELLE
MELBOURNE - Australia beat New Zealand 53-51 in an exhilarating netball test before a sellout crowd this evening after the Silver Ferns let slip a three-goal lead in the final quarter.
It gave the Australians a 2-1 win in their home series after the New Zealanders beat them 3-0 during their winter home series.
New Zealand looked likely to tie up the match with 38 seconds remaining after a superb overhead pass from wing attack Adine Wilson was fielded by shooter Irene van Dyk.
However, a crucial call by Barbados umpire Marion Johnson-Hurley went against van Dyk for stepping.
It was 52-51 to the Australians at that stage and shooter Catherine Cox converted the next possession to claim a two-goal margin for the home side at the death.
It was a frenetic match, with the final two quarters being tight goal-for-goal affairs, before the New Zealanders edged ahead with about six minutes to go.
It should have their match then but the Australians fought back tenaciously under skipper Liz Ellis' urgings and led 52-50 with two minutes to go.
The match featured some bruising clashes, with van Dyk three times floored by charges from Ellis, who had a triumphant return in her 99th test after injury forced her to sit out the second test in Perth won by New Zealand.
At one stage in the third quarter van Dyk called for a timeout after falling heavily on her right hip, while a few minutes later Ellis was left feeling her jaw after she and van Dyk collided.
New Zealand started the match well with a goal to Jodi Te Huna after Anna Scarlett gained a rebound, but they failed to dominate the first quarter.
The Australians soon settled into the form they showed in their first test win in Sydney a week ago, with some slick attacking play capitalised on by some spectacular shooting from Cox.
They led 15-10 after the first quarter and extended that advantage to seven early in the second quarter before the Silver Ferns finally found their rhythm with a series of exhilarating midcourt raids.
Goalkeep Vilimaina Davu's rebounding skills came more into play and the New Zealanders edged to within one of the Australians before going to the break down 25-27.
It was neck and neck throughout the third quarter, with neither side willing to concede anything.
The Silver Ferns did not lead until halfway through the quarter but they briefly established a three-point break before the Australians clawed back to get even although the New Zealanders started the final quarter one ahead 39-38.
New Zealand fought hard to establish a 49-46 lead with six minutes to go, but the Australians ultimately won a stirring contest over the reigning world champions.
- NZPA
Netball: Australia beat Ferns and take series
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