New Zealand claim Fast 5 Netball World Series 2016 via Fast 5 Official
New Zealand has secured their sixth Fast5 Netball World Series title with a 25-point win over Australia.
Captain Maria Tutaia stood up in the big moments for her side, as she has done all tournament, scoring 27 of her side’s 41 points as New Zealand ran away 41-16 winners.
Australia burst out of the blocks with two point goals to both Caitlin Thwaites and Susan Pettitt, however New Zealand were able to level the match at five-a-piece by quarter time.
Tutaia opened her side’s second quarter Power Play with consecutive six point shots, to give New Zealand an early 12-point lead. The sides traded goals late in the half as New Zealand went into half time with the same 12-point advantage.
Neither side was able to gain a clear advantage early in the second half and it took two three-point shots from Maria Tutaia, including one after the siren, to give New Zealand a 17-point lead heading into the final quarter and Australia’s Power Play.
New Zealand continued with their smothering pressure in the final quarter, holding Australia scoreless, and unable to take advantage of their Power Play while they piled on eight more points of their own to take the victory.
“Maria was shooting threes in our power play which is why we just had to go for those shots,” said Australian captain Susan Pettitt.
“They’re really not our strength, our strength is twos, so we were put under a lot of pressure. The girls did really well considering the situation, but when our shots aren’t nailing and she’s nailing all of those it’s hard,” she said.
Australian shooters Caitlin Thwaites and Susan Pettitt tried in vain to get Australia back into the match, attempting one three-point shot after another, but to no avail with the New Zealand fans erupting as the siren sounded, to signal the Kiwi victory.
Post-game, prolific shooter Maria Tutaia announced that she would be unlikely to represent New Zealand in the Fast5 format of the game again. “I have played most of them, I think I’ve only missed out on one. Time for someone else to shoot the threes, I am pretty sure everyone is sick of seeing me at this tournament,” she said.
NEW ZEALAND (41) defeated AUSTRALIA (16)
