The 95th test match between the Silver Ferns & the Australian Diamonds went where so many others have gone, right down to the wire - and the Diamonds have won it it, 47-46, to take a 3-1 lead in the teams' five-match series.

The season's final showdown between the world two best teams is on Wednesday 23 September at Auckland's Vector Arena - tickets on sale now.

The Australian Diamonds repelled several strong challenges to pip the Silver Ferns 47-46 in the New World International Netball Series test in Invercargill today.

The result, in another typically bruising and closely contested encounter, gave Australia an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

Back on home soil after the first three matches were played in Australia, the Silver Ferns saved their best for the final quarter. But after trailing at each break and gamely fighting back each time, they could not maintain their consistency and were left to rue the Diamonds four-goal first quarter lead.

The Silver Ferns began with the same seven who started last week's epic Brisbane clash, with Paula Griffin pairing with Irene van Dyk in the shooting circle, the former South African lining up in her 99th test for New Zealand.

The Australian Diamonds were also unchanged, the only difference being captain Sharelle McMahon playing at goal attack against her Silver Ferns counterpart Casey Williams and Susan Pratley moving back to goal shoot.

The Silver Ferns made the better start before the Diamonds found their feet, ending the quarter with a flourish as they took a 14-10 lead into the first break.

McMahon again proved the Silver Ferns' nemesis, the athletic attacker's speed and timing being an early feature of the match. The Diamonds' speed around the circle gave them early options to open up shooting opportunities where McMahon and Pratley were strong finishers.

The New Zealanders were more patient and measured in their approach, and hit a purple patch through the second stanza as the intensity lifted. Laura Langman provided the inspiration for a strong Silver Ferns fightback with a forceful display at centre. A livewire on attack and around the circle edge, Langman also delivered on defence with some sterling back-up work.

On a roll, the Silver Ferns pegged back the four-goal deficit to tie up the match at 18-all, more movement from van Dyk helping ward off the ever-close attention from the 1.96m Susan Fuhrmann.

However, the Diamonds replied in kind with a strong burst to retain a handy 25-22 lead at half-time.

With the introduction of goal attack Maria Tutaia five minutes before half-time and experienced defender Sheryl Scanlan after the break, the Silver Ferns made a compelling start. A lift in intensity from the defensive line helped the Silver Ferns quickly get back on to level terms and then hit a narrow lead.

From there it was a goal-for-goal battle with neither side able to take the initiative before crucial errors and a couple of timely intercepts from well-performed defender Julie Corletto counted against the Silver Ferns.

Five straight goals pushed Australia out to a 39-34 lead heading down the home straight.

Again the Silver Ferns fought back strongly in a thrilling final stanza. With Temepara George continuing her huge workload with an inspiring last quarter, the Silver Ferns levelled the scores at 39-all with just over eleven minutes to go.

A tense level-pegging match-up ensued as both teams threw everything into a frenzied final few minutes as the Silver Ferns again slipped behind, but once again came charging back.

The score stayed tied at 45-all for two minutes with the Silver Ferns having the chance to break the deadlock on the back of a Williams intercept. However, they were unable to convert as the Diamonds steadied & re-grouped. Both teams went on to score once more before the relentless Corletto broke the Silver Ferns' resolve.

Scoring from the turnover, the visitors clinched the winning one-goal buffer as they wound the clock down by inter-passing the ball safely between themselves.

The final match of the Series will be played in Auckland on Wednesday.

Slideshow Image: They may be closely entwined, but it's fierce rivalry, not friendship between New Zealand's Joline Henry  and Australia's Kim Green, on court at Stadium Southland today. (PHOTO: Michael Bradley)