WAIS Diamond Duo Fall to Silver Ferns

Published On: 9 September 2009

Susan Fuhrmann played a star role in Australia's series opener with New Zealand

WAIS scholarship holders Kate Beveridge and Susan Fuhrmann competed for Australia in the first of a three Test series against New Zealand last weekend, with the Silver Ferns edging a three goal win in Sydney.

Australia’s 50-53 defeat saw WAIS represented at either end of the court, with Beveridge operating in the shooting circle and Fuhrmann given the task of marking one of netball’s all time legends – Irene Van Dyke.

It was Fuhrmann’s first foray at international level since the 2006 Commonwealth Games, and the combative West Coast Fever star didn’t disappoint, with a player of the match performance that included five blocks on Van Dyke.

The Silver Ferns pushed out to an early lead, and maintained a slim advantage throughout the match. Australia rallied in the final term to reduce the margin to one goal, but couldn’t complete the great escape, with their Trans Tasman rivals earning a 1-0 series advantage ahead of Wednesday’s second match in Melbourne.

Despite a poor recent record in Melbourne, Diamonds coach Norma Plummer refused to read anything into the venue stats.

“It doesn’t bother me. I’m not superstitious and never have been,” Plummer said of Australia’s failure to win a match in Melbourne since 2004.

“It’s the game, you either win it or lose it because of what you do on the court.

“It’s not the court surroundings. It doesn’t change, the court is the same dimensions, everything. It’s how you handle the game.”