Fever Banished by Touch of Magic

The West Coast Fever were defeated by the Waikato/ Bay of Plenty Magic 55-50 in the opening match of Rivalry Round.

Fever may have returned from Hamilton without the victory they hoped for, but have gone a long way in establishing themselves as a danger side of the future.

Fever won three of the four quarters to show they are a side capable of matching it with the big names, but failed to come home with the win. It was an 18-11 third quarter that cost the Fever as Magic stamped their authority on the game.

The Magic looked shaky in the opening term as Fever opened up a four goal lead early in the match, on the back of some impressive shooting from goal attack Leah Shoard.

But dominant shooter Irene van Dyk soon fought her way into the game, with 11 goals in the second quarter to finally get the better of WAIS scholarship holder Susan Fuhrmann.

The Fever headed into half-time with a one goal lead, against a side they are yet to defeat in the ANZ Championship.

But the experience and skill of the Magic became too much for the Fever in the third, as the home side scored 18 goals to stamp out any hope of a Fever revival.

Jane Searle replaced WAIS athlete Andrea Gilmore in the third with the tenacious Emma Beckett, but it did little to stop the Magic’s fast ball movement.

By the fourth quarter the Magic were home, as Searle again introduced players to the court. Captain Jo Curran moved to wing defence as WAIS athlete Josie Janz made her New Zealand debut in goal defence.

WAIS scholarship holder Madison Browne was a standout for the Fever, despite the physical pressure placed on her throughout the match.

The Fever returned to Perth, before they head to Sydney to take on the undefeated NSW Swifts in Newcastle this Sunday.

– Netball WA