Liz Watson of Australia (left) in action during the first test match of the Constellation Cup series between the Australian Diamonds and the New Zealand Silver Ferns. Photo: AAP / Photosport
The Australian Diamonds have beaten the Silver Ferns 69-52 to take the first Constellation Cup test in Melbourne.
New Zealand stuck with the world champions for the first three quarters, before things started to unravel in the final spell.
Martina Salmon, who grew up in Australia, got her first initiation against the Diamonds and did well at goal attack to take some of the scoring pressure off Grace Nweke.
The sides were tied 13-all after the first quarter.
Australia's shooting end started to open up in the second quarter, with Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin working the circle to perfection at times.
They pushed out to a five goal lead, but New Zealand wouldn't go away, and an incredible take and goal on the buzzer from Nweke meant the Diamonds held a slim 30-28 lead at half-time.
Australia got out to a fast start in the third quarter, which forced Silver Ferns interim coach Yvette McCausland-Durie to make changes. Catherine Hall was also given her first taste against Australia, when she spent some minutes at goal defence and goal keep.
The Diamonds led 44-40 into the final quarter, but absolutely dominated that stanza 24-11, with the Silver Ferns unable to slow them down.
Garbin scored 42 goals, while Nweke nailed 37 for New Zealand.
The Silver Ferns will need to get more ball on defence in the second test in Sydney on Wednesday.
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