Netball: Silver Ferns pipped in nailbiter

Susan Fuhrmann of Australia (L) attempts to block Maria Tutaia of New Zealand shot at goal. Photo / Getty Images

Australia 58
Silver Ferns 57

Australia exacted a diabolically appropriate revenge for their Commonwealth Games loss to New Zealand last year in New Delhi with an astonishing 58-57 win over the Silver Ferns in extra time to win the world netball championship in Singapore.

With the scores tied 46-46 at the end of regulation time, the Diamonds held steady in two frantic seven-minute quarters of extra time, stepping up in the second spell after the scores were tied 51-51 at the first break.

Goal shoot Caitlin Bassett sealed the match with the second period of extra-time just about to run out to sink the match-winning goal for a heart-stopping win.

It was a strangely similar story to New Zealand's 66-64 double extra-time win in New Delhi, only this time the Diamonds were the more composed in the frantic closing minutes with the inexperienced Bassett keeping her cool down the stretch.

New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken's starting line-up held no real surprises: Joline Henry received the nod at wing defence ahead of Anna Scarlett, with Henry's vision and drive in turning defence into attack seeing her get the nod.

Aitken opted for extra height in the defensive circle, Leana de Bruin matching up at the back on Diamonds shooter Catherine Cox while Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams was charged with keeping goal attack Natalie Medhurst under wraps.

Australian coach Norma Plummer sprung no surprises, testing New Zealand shooter Irene van Dyk from the first whistle with the intimidating Susan Fuhrmann, while Julie Corletto went head-to-head with Silver Ferns playmaker Maria Tutaia at goal attack and the abrasive Mo'onia Gerrard started up at wing defence.

Australian midcourters Natalie von Bertouch and Kim Green lined up against the experienced Silver Ferns duo of Temepara George and Laura Langman to complete the starting sevens.

First blood went to New Zealand with an early break, as first Henry then Williams pulled off intercepts set up by some superb through-court defence. The Australians defensive effort was also impressive, and the Silver Ferns' drive to circle edge was fraught with danger. The disruptive Gerrard combined well with von Bertouch and Corletto to force a late turnover as the quarter closed to tie at 10-10 with just on a minute left

The Silver Ferns' composure remained complete, and they closed out the quarter with the last two goals to take a 12-10 lead into the first break.

Plummer took advantage to replace Green with newcomer Chelsea Pitman, and although the move took time to gel - New Zealand scored the first three goals - eventually an increase in tempo and a refining in timing saw the Diamonds fight back to trail 13-15 five minutes in.

The two teams went goal for goal, with stifling defence a real feature at both ends before the Silver Ferns midcourt sparked a late three-goal run to go into halftime looking good at 26-20 ahead.

The third quarter started disastrously for the Silver Ferns, Plummer's strategy in bringing on the more mobile Laura Geitz in place of Fuhrmann paying dividends as her combination with Corletto tightened up the circle and the New Zealand feed became too tentative.

The supply of turnover ball was converted at the other end, as Bassett slotted in seamless at the back in place of Cox in a seven-goal scoring spree the Silver Ferns seemed powerless to stop.

They dug deep, regathered and managed to halt the haemorrhage of goals to sneak a 36-35 edge at the three-quarter mark.

Aitken stuck with her starting seven going into the final 15 minutes, and the game ebbed and flowed with neither team able to establish real dominance. With Geitz's more mobile game testing the New Zealand feed into the circle, the Australians forced a vital turnover in the last three minutes to sneak out to 43-42 only to see New Zealand fight back to level then take a one-goal lead with 50 seconds remaining.

But Australia forced the turnover and goaled to force the game into extra-time and they then held their composure to snatch it at the death.

Extra time: Australia 58 New Zealand 57. Fulltime: Australia 46 New Zealand 46. Halftime: 20-26.

- NZPA