Fast5 Diamonds Finish Off the Pace
The Australian Fast5 Diamonds had its colours lowered at the recent Fast 5 Netball World Series in Auckland, finishing in sixth place without a win to its name.
Fresh from claiming last month’s Quad Series against rivals New Zealand, England and South Africa, Australia opted for a young and largely inexperienced squad for netball’s answer to T20 cricket, and the decision appeared to backfire.
The Australians, including WAIS scholarship holders Shae Bolton and Verity Simmons struggled with the concept, failing to qualify for the semi-final phase of the tournament, before suffering defeat to world netball minnows Malawi 30-33 in the 5/6th play-off.
Fast5 netball incorporates double point “power plays”, three point goals from outside the circle and instantaneous interchange in a fast and frenetic version of netball.
Despite being competitive in each match, the Australians failed to record a win against any of; New Zealand, England, South Africa, Jamaica or Malawi, with outside shooting certain to be high on the list of priorities for improvement.
New Zealand captured the inaugural Fast5 World Series championship, following a 23-21 win over England in a pulsating final.