Record Breaking Win for West Coast Fever
A second home game in as many weeks gave West Coast Fever the chance to net their first win of the 2014 ANZ Championship in record-breaking style, defeating the Tactix 79 – 43.
Whilst both sides took a few minutes to settle, a convincing push from Fever, including pinpoint shooting from WA legend Caitlin Bassett (WAIS) and some strong work from Khao Watts, gave the home side an early lead. Silly errors from the Tactix enabled early turnovers for the team in green, including a converted ripper from Ashleigh Brazill (WAIS).
Potentially the most fluid approach from the Fever in the 2014 competition, they led at half time 18 goals to the Tactix’s 10.
Captain Nat Medhurst, displaying her Diamonds pedigree, made easy work of young Louise Thayer – who subsequently left court being replaced by Zoe Walker. Julianna Naoupu came on for Fenwick at the same interchange. More impressive midcourt work from Brazill, Watts and Pitman took the Fever into half time with a staggering 23 goal lead, 42 – 19.
Tactix coach Leigh Gibbs utilised her bench throughout the game; the introduction of 164cm Keshia Grant at wing attack gave something for Ash Brazill to think about, but the Fever firepower wasn’t stunted. Great rebounding by WAIS athlete Josie Janz gave Bassett the chance to sink the 75th goal of the match, with the Fever leading by 25 with six minutes left to play.
The tempo of the game stalled ever so slightly in the third, but to no detriment to the home side. Outstanding efforts from the whole team gave Head Coach Norma Plummer much to celebrate, the Fever going into the last break – 56 to 32.
The same seven players who entered the game saw it through to the start of the final quarter; Plummer enjoying what the girls put out on court. An interesting battle between Grant and Brazill kept the roaring Challenge Stadium crowd entertained, and the introduction of WAIS scholarship holder Shae Bolton (centre) and Chanel Gomes (goal defence) with seven minutes remaining, kept things lively.
Consistently determined throughout, West Coast Fever worked hard for their 36 goal win. Working till the final whistle, the Fever earned not only the largest margin in the 2014 ANZ Championship so far, but has broken all club records for their own highest goal difference, 79 – 43.
On the road for the next two weeks, Fever take on Southern Steel on Saturday 22 March and WBOP Magic on Sunday 30 March.
-NetballWA