Defending champion Silver Ferns had to settle for a fourth-place finish at the Fast5 Netball Word Series after being beaten 34-15 by hosts Australia in the bronze medal match in Melbourne.
Silver Ferns defender Temalisi Fakahokotau during the Silver Ferns Fast5 bronze medal match against Australia. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2017 www.photosport.nz
The Ferns hopes of defending their title were dashed in their opening match of day two when the lost 30-23 to Jamaica.
England won the title, becoming only the second country to win in the Fast5 format of the game.
England defeated Jamaica 34-29 in the final, which was neck-and-neck until the final quarter where England used their Power Play to full advantage.
England midcourter Serena Guthrie won the MVP award for player of the tournament.
Australia took control of the bronze medal match with four goals from the outer circle in a 18-3 power play second quarter.
The home team shut down New Zealand's power play in the third quarter by only allowing a pair of two-point goals.
New Zealand got the best of a physical opening quarter with defensive ace Temalisi Fakahokotau, the tournament leader in deflections, taking an early intercept before Ameliaranne Ekenasio hit four of six shots.
It gave the Fast5 Ferns a 6-2 leading heading into Australia's power play quarter.
Gretel Tippet sunk a four-pointer to give the Australians their first lead then repeated the dose before Tegan Philip and Kaylia Stanton added their own long bombs to build a 20-9 halftime advantage.
New Zealand's shooting touch deserted them in the third period with dogged Australian defence allowing them to maintain their 11-point lead with one quarter to play.
Philip goaled from the outer circle early in the final quarter to give the Australians an insurmountable lead.
South Africa finished the event in fifth place after defeating Malawi 28-17 in the 5th/6th playoff.
-RNZ
