New Zealand's Casey Williams tries to shoot during the
Silver Ferns' netball final match against Australia at the
Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India. Photo by AP.
It's gold for the Silver Ferns after they survived
squandering a seven-goal lead to nail a double extra-time
sudden death thriller 66-64 over Australia in the Commonwealth
Games netball final today.
In what was arguably the most incredible netball test of all
time, the trans-Tasman sides took turns at throwing away
winning chances as tension and exhaustion gripped like a
vice, until New Zealand goal attack Maria Tutaia finally put
the dagger in.
New Zealand had scored five unanswered goals early in the
final quarter to scorch to a 40-33 lead, only to go into
panic mode in the last two minutes and seemingly throw away
the gold medal, then levelled the scores at 58-58 in the last
second of extra time.
Tutaia was magnificent in the clutch, landing a series of
crucial shots until the final one brought a boilover of
emotion and relief -- and grief for Australia.
Replacement Australian goal shoot Catherine Cox and New
Zealand flagbearer Irene van Dyk, who tried a high-risk long
range shot, both had chances to seal it in the final minute
of ordinary time, and both missed to leave the match alive.
That meant two seven-minute periods of extra time, with the
first side opening a two-goal lead getting the gold.
New Zealand had trailed for much of the game as Australia
applied a mid court stranglehold, but inspirational halftime
changes by coach Ruth Aitken pulled the gold medal out of
Australia's clutches.
On came former beach volleyball international Anna Scarlett
at wing defence as well as Liane Barrett-Chase at wing
defence and suddenly Australia had the skids under them.
It was a cameo by Scarlett, who left again in the final
quarter, but it was a telling one, as her long reach derailed
several Australian attacks until she departed.
Australia had led 10-9 after the first quarter, 23-20 at
halftime, trailed 33-35 after the third quarter, then the
Silver Ferns scored five unanswered goals to open what seemed
a winning 40-33 lead.
But no, this was Australia, and they weren't going away.
On came former skipper Cox at goal shoot and with six minutes
left the gap was back to two, with the "Kiwis, Kiwis" chant
urging on New Zealand from the stands.
Both sides had started nervously, with the first quarter
riddled with turnovers as both sides threw ball away, and
both sets of shooters either missed, or had shots deflected
away.
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