Fever End Season with a Win
The West Coast Fever has ended its 2014 campaign with a home win over New Zealand’s Central Pulse, recording a 51-44 victory in Perth.
Although the season didn’t deliver the riches the Fever had hoped for, their last match at Challenge Stadium was a rip-roaring victory over a Pulse side, who surged in the last 15 minutes of a season in which they’d come agonisingly close to a top-four finish.
As Plummer said goodbye to the team she has led for three seasons, she equalled Jane Searle’s record for the most wins by a Fever coach (12). But it was not enough to lift the Fever from ninth on the ladder.
Pitman, who has decided to take a break from the game, was in stunning form for her last appearance – constantly setting up her reliable goal shoot Caitlin Bassett (WAIS) under the post. The Pulse faced a virtually impossible feat to sneak into the final play-offs – needing to win this game by more than 50 goals. But the Kiwi side were also gunning for a more realistic goal – to finally win on Australian soil.
The return of wing attack Liana Leota to the starting seven was a big boost for the Pulse, who made the most of her quick, intuitive feeds into Donna Wilkins in the back pocket of the shooting circle, and stole an early two-goal advantage.
Her opposite, Pitman, had the same effect at the other end, her passes finding Bassett and Nat Medhurst (WAIS) with conviction, and the Fever drew level midway through the first spell.
A whole lot of hassle from the Fever defence led to a rush of four goals and a lead of 14-11 at the first break.
Pulse goal keep Katrina Grant went out hunting to try to stop the smooth flow of ball through to Bassett. But the Fever had the upper-hand, establishing a smooth rhythm and a handy 10-goal buffer.
The Fever’s full-court defence forced the Pulse attack into a string of misunderstandings – especially around circle where WAIS athlete Josie Janz denied most ball destined for Wilkins, Eboni Beckford-Chambers nabbed four crucial intercepts and wing defence Shae Bolton (WAIS) ran herself ragged.
Returning from the dressing rooms down 28-18, the Pulse made two major changes to their line-up. Veteran shooter Irene van Dyk, who shot just six goals in the half, going to the bench for Paula Griffin, and Elias Shadrock coming on for centre Millie Lees.
The change had immediate effects, with the Pulse picking up the first three goals of the spell. But the Fever were far from overwhelmed, and with centre Khao Watts leading by example, the home side continued to drive the ball into the safe hands of Bassett who took the difference back to double figures.
Medhurst, playing her naturally supportive role at goal attack, was putting up the goals when needed, notching up a personal milestone of 2000 goals in her career.
The Fever led 42-30 going into the final quarter, but the Pulse would not lie down – inspired by the gutsy defence of Grant, they edged within six with two minutes left on the clock.