#Glasgow2014: Bassett Earns Diamonds Epic Win

A last minute goal to WAIS athlete Caitlin Bassett earned the Australian Diamonds a famous 49-48 win over England in a Commonwealth Games classic in Glasgow.

England started the match with fire and brimstone, to stun the Australians, who’d opened their account with a comfortable win over Wales.

The step-up in quality forced the Diamonds to dig deep, with the girls trailing by six goals at quarter-time and despite a better performance in the second and third quarters, still trailed by three goals at the final change.

England in fact held the lead up until the final minute, before, with scores tied, a late miss to England sharp-shooter Joanne Harten, allowed the Australians to stream forward and feed Western Australian Caitlin Bassett, who held her nerve to put the Australians up by a goal with less than 30 seconds remaining.

Australia kept possession from the centre pass but gifted England a late life-line with a turnover. Despite the error, England couldn’t transition in time and Australia held on for a famous win.

Bassett contributed 36 goals, with fellow West Australian and WAIS athlete Nat Medhurst playing the expert foil in goal attack, with 11 goals of her own.

Harten was left in tears following the final siren, despite topping England’s scoring charts with 29 goals.

The result means Australia is likely to miss a semi-final clash against arch-rival New Zealand, whilst England can begin preparations for the likelihood of a knockout clash with the Silver Ferns.

Australia next plays Barbados on Day 4 from 6.30pm Perth time.