Firebirds sparkle as Diamonds

Mission Queensland Firebirds Laura Geitz, Lauren Nourse and Natalie Medhurst

MISSION Queensland Firebirds Laura Geitz, Natalie Medhurst and Lauren Nourse were just three of the Australian Diamonds who helped open the Holden Netball Test Series with a bang.

The three Firebirds all put in four fantastic quarters against fellow team mate and Jamaican Sunshine Girl Romelda Aiken to deliver an impressive 59-38 win in Melbourne on the weekend.

In true Aiken style, the Jamaican scored the first goal of the match, taking a high ball and easily netting it to get the Sunshine Girls on the board.

Gietz and fellow defender Mo’onia Gerrard made Aiken and fellow Jamaican goal attack Vanessa Walker work hard to get the ball and at the other end of the court the Diamonds shooting combination of Catherine Cox and Natalie Medhurst could do no wrong.

A 12-9 lead at the end of the first break was indicative of what was to come during the match with the Diamonds extending the lead to six early in the second quarter.

The Diamonds went into half time break leading 29-19 and then continued to stretch their lead in the third quarter.

Diamonds coach Norma Plummer sent a new line up into the fourth quarter with Kim Green replacing Natalie Bertouch in centre, Susan Fuhrmann going into Goal Keeper, which pushed Geitz to Goal Defence. Meanwhile, Cox was replaced by Kate Beveridge in the circle, which made no difference to the sparkle of the Diamonds who finished the game 59-38.

The Diamonds will now head to Sydney in preparation for match two of the Series against the Sunshine Girls.

Firebird Amy Steel who is looking for her first Test Cap will be hoping for a call up in the second game.

Tickets are still available for the match. See Netball Australia website for more details.

Tickets are also still available for the final game of the Series to be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday, August 15. For tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au