The Australian Diamonds have won the 2025 Constellation Cup by just one goal after a dramatic decider in Christchurch, New Zealand. The match ended 12-11 in extra time, with Australia narrowly defeating the Silver Ferns to reclaim the trophy.
Earlier in the day, the Silver Ferns had forced the series into a final showdown by winning the fourth test 62-57. They made a strong comeback in the last quarter, thanks to powerful plays by vice captain Kelly Jackson and sharp shooting from Grace Nweke, who scored 56 goals with 95% accuracy.
With the series tied 2-2, both teams returned to the court after a 12-minute break for a special extra-time match. It consisted of two halves, each seven minutes long. New Zealand started strong, but Australia responded quickly. The game remained tight, with the scores level at 11-11 with just over a minute to play.
A clever play by Mila Reuelu-Buchanan gave New Zealand hope, but the Diamonds used their final possession wisely, keeping the ball and scoring the winning goal just before the clock ran out.
It was a tough end for the Silver Ferns, especially after putting up such a strong fight. Some players, like Maddy Gordon and Kate Heffernan, battled through cramp during extra time. Sunday Aryang of Australia was injured in the final moments while defending a long pass.
Despite the loss, the Silver Ferns can take pride in their performance. They had a difficult start to the series, losing the first two matches by large margins, but bounced back under pressure with key players stepping up and new talents like Catherine Hall making a big impact.
Next, the Silver Ferns will travel to the United Kingdom for test matches against Scotland and England.
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