Diamonds claim Constellation Cup

Battle ... Biana Chatfield takes a pass over the top of Catherine Latu. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

AUSTRALIA has held off a strong final-quarter comeback from New Zealand to re-claim the Constellation Cup with 52-47 win over the Silver Ferns at Rod Laver Arena last night.

Holding a 2-1 series lead coming into this Test, the Diamonds only need to win one of their remaining two Tests to clinch trans-Tasman bragging rights _ but they almost coughed it up in front of a big home crowd.

The Diamonds had held a 10-goal lead going into the final quarter, but they were thrust into survival mode after the Silver Ferns came out firing to cut the margin to three goals late in the quarter.

But the steady head of Diamonds leaders Laura Geitz and Bianca Chatfield coupled with the finishing work of goal shooter Caitlin Bassett under the ring was able to give the Diamonds an unbeatable 3-1 lead going into the final Test in Canberra on Sunday.

The Diamonds won the Constellation Cup in 2010 and 2011, but lost the series last year to the Silver Ferns. This series is the last time netball's superpowers will meet before next year's Commonwealth Games.

As she continues to mature in the role, Bassett (40 from 44 goals) was a strong target for the Diamonds all night in partnership with goal attack Natalie Medhurst (12 from 14), who was named MVP for the match.

Contest ... Laura Geitz intercepts the ball against Catherine Latu. Source: Getty Images

Goal attack Maria Tutaia (26/32) top-scored for the Silver Ferns, teaming with Cathrine Latu (21/25) as veteran goal shooter Irene van Dyk watched from the bench for the match.

Subbed out for the final quarter in the Ferns' third Test loss in Adelaide last Friday van Dyk was overlooked for the starting position at goal shooter in favour of Latu.

The Diamonds, who opened with the same starting seven as they did in the second and third Tests, overcame a slightly nervous start in the opening quarter and tight zone defence from the Silver Ferns to take a 12-10 lead into the first break.

On the back of some supurb feeding from Medhurst and young centre Kim Ravaillion, Bassett was strong under the ring early with 10 goals in the opening quarter.

Tough ... Bancia Chatfield and Laura Geitz contest for the ball against Catherine Latu. Source: Getty Images

But it was a different story in the second quarter for Bassett's New Zealand counterpart - Latu - who appeared frustrated by the Diamonds defensive duo Geitz and Chatfield.

In an eventful quarter, Latu had two penalties advanced after showing dissent and hit the court after a collision with Chatfield.

She called a time-out to re-group, but the Diamonds were able to stretch their lead to 26-21 at half-time.

Latu was held to just three goals for the second quarter as her shooting partner Tutaia dominated the scoring for the Silver Ferns, while Bassett continued to pile on the goals for the Diamonds.

Despite Latu's troubles, the Silver Ferns retained the same line-up for the start of the second half and began with more spark to cut the Diamonds lead to three goals early in the third quarter. But the Diamonds lifted another gear to take a 41-31 lead into the final quarter.

It was a similar story for the start of the final quarter, with the Silver Ferns coming out strongly to give the Diamonds a late scare, but their surge came too late for the match and the series.

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