Northern Ireland were humbled by reigning champions Australia in their opening game at the Netball World Cup on Friday.
The number one ranked team cruised to an 88-24 victory at Liverpool Arena.
The Diamonds had won all five of the previous World Cup meetings between the two sides and their 100% record never looked in any danger.
They were seven points to the good inside five minutes before the Warriors, ranked eighth in the world, got themselves on to the scoresheet.
Australia led 24-7 at the end of the first quarter with goal shooter Caitlin Bassett converting all 18 of her opportunities and goal attack Steph Wood equally as efficient with her six.
That Diamonds continued their dominance into the second period, as they pressed on in search of more goals.
Northern Ireland improved in the second 15, scoring eight times, and limited Australia to 21.
At the halfway mark, there was a 30-goal gap between the sides, with the score standing at 45-15 to the holders.
Northern Ireland notched three times in the third quarter, but fell further behind as Australia increased their lead to 67-19.
Australia already had the two points wrapped up prior to the fourth and final period, but still had time to convert another 21 times as they eased towards the final whistle, ending their scoring at 88.
Northern Ireland had another concern when Caroline O'Hanlon required treatment following a nasty fall.
Northern Ireland coach Dan Ryan said: “Your heart is in your mouth when you see a player of her (Caroline O’Hanlon’s) importance to our World Cup campaign get injured.
“She’s been assessed by the medical team and will continue to be assessed in the next couple of moments. I think everything should be okay, hopefully, but we just have to wait and see.”
Northern Ireland will look to get their first points of the tournament when they face Sri Lanka on Sunday.
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