The Australian Diamonds underlined their vast improvement as they held off the fast-finishing Silver Ferns to win the fourth test of the Constellation Cup netball series 52-47 on Monday night in Melbourne.
The Diamonds took a 10-goal lead into the final quarter but the Silver Ferns quickly reduced the deficit to just three before Australia's team leaders and defenders Laura Geitz and Bianca Chatfield stopped the Ferns' roll.
In a major shock at the start of the game the goal-shooting legend Irene van Dyk was left on the Silver Ferns bench and she didn't play any part in the game.
Coach Waimarama Taumaunu was concerned after the match at the number of penalties given away by her shooters Cathrine Latu and Maria Tutaia.
The final game of the series is in Canberra on Sunday.
