Fever Defeated by Firebirds

Published On: 4 March 2011

The Queensland Firebirds have recorded their third win in as many games, defeating the West Coast Fever 62-38 at Challenge Stadium.

The Fever welcomed back captain Johannah Curran in her first start for 2011, but it was the Firebirds who started the better of the two sides.

Out to a 4-1 lead early, the Firebirds showed no effects of the long trip to Perth for their second game in three days.

Wing defender Andrea Gilmore tried to lift her side with a number of deflections and intercepts, but the home side trailed heading into the first change 16-8.

Caitlin Bassett scored all eight goals for the Fever, continuing her good form from the first two games.

Both sides were able to create a number of scoring opportunities in the second, but it was the Firebirds again who pulled away to lead by nine goals at half-time.

Jane Searle introduced young defender Chanel Gomes for the third, giving Natalie Medhurst her third opponent in as many quarters, in an attempt to quell the Firebirds Goal attack’s influence on the match.

The Australian Diamond was the dominant shooter for the Firebirds with nearly 40 attempts by three quarter time. Romelda Aitken continued to be well held by Susan Fuhrmann who excelled in her 75th match by keeping the ANZ Championship’s third top scorer to just 16 goals before the last break .

But again the third quarter belonged to the Firebirds, scoring 16 goals while the Fever could only manage 9, to seal the match heading into the final quarter.

Jane Searle again looked to her bench, introducing Alicia Janz into the midcourt, but the match was effectively over as the Firebirds ran out the match 24 goal winners.

Goal keeper Susan Fuhrmann says despite the loss, the side will remain positive.

“We got a lot of deflections and turnovers tonight. We just need to work on cherishing the ball down the court, and we will be able to match it with the best teams.”

The Fever now face a tough trip to Sydney to face the NSW Swifts, before heading to Melbourne to play the in-form Vixens.

– Netball WA