Fever Claims Vital Win Over Thunderbirds
In a test of their character, the West Coast Fever were forced to fend off a late charging Adelaide Thunderbirds before clinching a thrilling 63-61 win in Adelaide on Sunday.
Coming off two losses and the bye in the last three weeks, Fever seemingly had the game in the bag when leading by as much as 10 goals during the final quarter, but the Thunderbirds produced a withering late burst to go on a five-goal unanswered streak that saw the hosts sneak into the lead with just under five minutes to go.
However as had happened throughout the game, untimely lapses proved costly for the Thunderbirds with the visitors regained their composure to reclaim the lead and claim two crucial points heading towards finals.
Fever’s Caitlin Bassett (WAIS) proved the difference for the visitors, the sharp-shooter delivering a season-high 52 goals to help the team from the west return to the winner’s circle.
Thunderbirds opted for Emily Beaton (wing attack), Leigh Waddington (centre) and Renae Hallinan (wing defence) in the midcourt and Amy Steel starting at goal defence.
It was a high octane start from both sides, the ball getting very quickly to both ends of the court with each producing quality attacking netball. Respective shooters Carla Borrego and Bassett were in the midst of the action as goals came thick and fast.
High-scoring was the order of the first stanza, the teams level-pegging before the Thunderbirds gained a mini-break of the back of some dynamic play and finishing from Borrego.
Poor passing ultimately let the home team down when in a prime position to nail home the advantage, the Fever getting back on level terms before nosing 16-15 in front at the first break.
Fever found their groove on the resumption, feeding off Thunderbirds turnovers with slick through-court transition and the domination of Bassett under the hoop. At the other end, Mikaera got the better of Borrego as the visitors sprung out to a five-goal advantage.
With the Fever threatening to take off on the back of five unanswered goals, Thunderbirds surged back strongly. Finally converting some of their turnover opportunities the hosts managed to keep the visitors within reach when the Fever led 31-28 at the main break.
The Thunderbirds continued to undo all their good work, a flurry of errors setting the Fever on a five-goal scoring spree early in the third term as they punished the home team.
With wing attack Khao Watts shining in her work of getting the ball to Bassett and defender April Letton denying Thunderbirds shooter Erin Bell for long periods, the Fever quickly established a winning eight-goal margin.
The willowy figure of Bassett continued to dominate under the Fever hoop, marking her considerable influence by passing the 500 goals in a season mark in the process, the first Australian player to do so.
A heavy fall which forced livewire captain Ashleigh Brazill (WAIS) off the court failed to halt Fever’s momentum, with WAIS athlete Ingrid Colyer fitting in seamlessly as the visitors stretched out to a 50-43 lead at the last break.
-In other netball news
Australia has named its two teams for the underage Trans-Tasman 19U Tournament against New Zealand Secondary Schools team and a Maori 19U team in Rotorua this week.
Australian 21U coach Tania Obst and Australian Diamonds assistant and Netball Australia Centre of Excellence head coach Michelle den Dekker divided the Australia 19/U squad into two teams – Australia Green and Australia Gold.
The 22 Australian players have been in Rotorua since Saturday where they’ve spent the past couple of days in a training camp before the tournament kicks off on Tuesday.
Australia Gold take on Aotearoa Maori in the opening game of the tournament at 6.30am (Perth time) on Tuesday followed by Australia Green and the New Zealand Secondary Schools at 8.00am (Perth) at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua.
WAIS netball scholarship holders Annika Lee-Jones and Phoebe Wilcox have been named on Australia Green’s roster whilst Jess Anstiss, Sophie Garbin and Nicole Lendich will take to court for Australia Gold.
– with ANZ Champs and NetballWA