Fever Edged in One-point Thriller
The West Coast Fever has lost a one point heart-breaker to the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic at Challenge Stadium 42-41.
The Fever trailed heading into the final quarter by three goals, but drew level with just three minutes remaining, as both sides went goal for goal in the final minutes. But it was the Magic, through experienced veteran Irene van Dyk, who calmly slotted home the winning goal to give the Magic just their second win in Australia.
The West Coast Fever started the match slowly as the Magic raced out to a 3-0 lead on the back of some Magic defensive brilliance. The Fever was unable to penetrate the transverse line as the Magic capitalized on the turnovers. A time-out to Leah Shoard mid way through the first term sparked the Fever into action as they scored eight of the last eleven goals in the quarter.
WAIS athlete Caitlin Bassett was strong under the post, while Leah Shoard worked hard outside the circle to provide drive as the Fever began to control the game.
They came out firing in the second, continuing the good form from late in the first quarter, scoring six of the first seven goals as the Magic struggled to find their star shooter Irene van Dyk. Fever defensive duo Susan Fuhrmann (WAIS) and Ama Agbeze picked off passes and deflections, as the home side looked to cause their second New Zealand upset in as many weeks.
A time-out to Magic wing defender Peta Scholz at the six minute mark of the quarter halted the Fever momentum, and it was suddenly the Magic who looked the better of the two sides. Six of the last eight goals were scored by the Magic as Casey Williams began to exert her dominance. Two quick rebounds and a strong intercept set up her attacking line, and at half time, her side had the lead 20-18.
Fever coach Jane Searle shifted Leah Shoard to wing attack, introducing Ashlee Howard to goal attack, and the move paid off early as Howard had two from two early in the quarter. The match went goal for goal before a rare miss from van Dyk gave Caitlin Bassett an attempt down the other end, which she converted.
It gave the Fever a three goal lead, before the Magic stormed back into the match late in the quarter. Four straight Magic goals brought the crowd on their feet, as they willed the Fever home, and a last second goal to Bassett on the three quarter time whistle gave the Fever a glimmer of hope as they trailed 31-28 heading into the final quarter.
It was a tense final quarter as the Fever scored four of the first five goals to draw level with the Magic. The match went goal for goal in the next ten minutes as near side were prepared to give an inch. Fever goal attack Ashlee Howard was confident going to the post, leaving Bassett to get the rebounds, but it was the Magic who broke through first. They scored two straight goals before a Leah Shoard time-out attempted to halt the momentum. And it was the Fever who started to run, scoring three straight goals on the back of a brilliant Ama Agbeze intercept.
But the Magic showed their experience, keeping a cool head as Irene van Dyk slotted home the winner with just four seconds remaining.
It’s only the second time a New Zealand side has won in Australia, as the win keeps the Fever winless against the Magic in four attempts.
There was a consolation prize for the Fever, as the home side accepted the Rivalry Round trophy on behalf of the five Australian teams, as Australia outscored New Zealand 263 to 239.
– Netball WA