Fever Make Strong Start to ANZ Champs Season

The West Coast Fever opened their 2016 account in style with a comprehensive 63-44 win over the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Perth on Saturday.

Shedding their underdog tag in a breakthrough 2015, the Fever showed they will again be a force in 2016 as they continued their recent dominance over the Thunderbirds with a forceful outing.

A rampaging second quarter, where they outscored the Thunderbirds 23-10, set the tone and left the visitors scrambling to get a foothold in the game.

Mixing and matching their line-up throughout, including import Jade Clarke lining up for her fifth franchise, the young new-look Thunderbirds delivered a much-improved second half but were left to rue the early damage.

Shooter Cody Lange was a strong performer under the hoop but overall, the Thunderbirds lacked the Fever’s shooting accuracy.

After leading 50-35 at that last break, Fever had the luxury of bringing on their bench players during the final stanza, including the rare sight of 193cm shooter Kate Beveridge slotting in at wing attack – a position she filled at times during their pre-season matches.

A high number of turnovers in the first quarter presented opportunities for both sides, the Fever producing a late surge to nose to a 12-9 lead at the first break.

The home team turned the game on its head with a dominating second stanza, holding sway across the court with their accuracy and finishing.

The Fever’s transition through court was almost seamless, Verity Simmons, back in Perth after two years with The Queensland Firebirds, providing the drive and easy passage to the circle while shooters Natalie Medhurst (WAIS) and Caitlin Bassett (WAIS) were clinical under the hoop.

The influential Bassett went on to return 47 goals from 49 attempts before being replaced midway through the final stanza.

At the other end, rejuvenated goal keeper Courtney Bruce (WAIS) was a constant thorn for the Thunderbirds shooters, who struggled with their accuracy under the constant attention.

New Thunderbirds coach Michelle Den Dekker made numerous changes but mostly they were unable to stem the tide, the scoreline blowing out on the back of Fever’s superior efficiency as they took a handsome 35-19 lead into the main break.

-ANZChamps