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Anna Scarlett (L) and Catherine Cox tussle for position - Source: Getty Images
The Silver Ferns have gone down to the Australian Diamonds 51-44 in the second Test in Adelaide tonight.
As was the way in the first Test in Perth on Sunday, New Zealand led for the majority of the match, but were unable to shake Australia off this time around. That allowed Australia to strike in the fourth quarter, restricting the Ferns to just eight goals and scoring fifteen.
The result leaves the series tied at 2-2, with New Zealand needing to win in Melbourne on Sunday night to claim the Constellation Cup.
Silver Ferns coach Wai Taumaunu opted to start Cathrine Latu at goal shoot ahead of veteran Irene van Dyk. The move had mixed success as Latu shot 27 from 31, while Maria Tutaia had 17 from 22. However, while Australia missed more shots, their shooters saw more ball and put up 11 more attempts on goal, which ultimately proved to be the difference.
Again the Silver Ferns started strongly racing away to a 5-1 lead early in the first quarter, but it didn't take long for the Diamonds to come back into the game taking a 7-6 lead. However the Silver Ferns rallied well in the back end of the first quarter to lead by two at the break.
The Ferns failed to increase their advantage in the second spell as Catherine Cox improved on her Perth performance, nailing 21 of 23 attempts in the first half. By half-time the lead had been halved as they went into the break with New Zealand up 26-25.
Things got tense in the third quarter as the physicality rose and tempers threatened to boil over. Australia tied things up at 36-36 heading into the final spell.
The Diamonds then got a roll on in the final quarter as the Ferns continued to turn the ball over allowing Australia to get home by seven and take the series to a decider.
