Diamonds win 2019 Constellation Cup with final game victory in Perth

The Australian Diamonds including WA’s Caitlin Bassett and Courtney Bruce won the Constellation Cup for a seventh consecutive year with an impressive win the final game in Perth on Sunday.

Star goal shooter Caitlin Bassett, playing her 100th test for the Diamonds nailed 25 of the 28 attempts on goal to celebrate her 100th test cap for the Diamonds

A closely contested opening game in Christchurch saw the New Zealand Silver Ferns take the early series lead, snaring a one goal victory 55-52. The second game in Auckland saw the series leveled at one game a piece with the Diamonds winning by six goals in what was coach Lisa Alexander’s 100th test. With series tied after the opening two games in New Zealand the competition headed across the Tasman for game three in Sydney.

Another closed game in Sydney saw the lead change throughout with the Silver Ferns managing to snare another narrow win by one goal, giving them the advantage before the series closer in Perth.

A record Perth crowd for a for the final game of over 13,000 at the RAC Arena on Sunday was the perfect setting for the series decider.

Local favourite Bassett quickly put the Diamonds in to the lead opening a nine point lead at the end of the first quarter, before quickly picking up where they left off in the second to extend their advantage to 13 at half time.

A resurgent Silver Ferns narrowed the advantage in the third, though there was to be no stopping the Diamonds as they roared home to win 53 to 46. With the series tied two games a piece the victory went to the Diamonds with a superior goal advantage. For their first win in Perth since 2005.