Third Quarter Fade-out Costs Fever

The West Coast Fever was left to rue a one quarter lapse as they lost 54-63 in Brisbane to the Queensland Firebirds on Sunday.

The Fever won the first and final quarters and lost the second quarter by just one goal, but it was a slow third quarter that cost them the game against a Firebirds side that has dropped only one game so far this season.

Only two goals separated the teams for much of the first term, but after some stunning ball handling outside the goal circle from wing attack Verity Simmons (WAIS), the Fever scored their third successive goal and held a one-goal lead at quarter time, 15-14.

The tight contest continued in the second quarter as the Fever kept their noses in front until midway through the term when the Firebirds, led largely by Natalie Medhurst at goal attack, pegged the lead back and led by two late before Fever fought back to level the game by the main break, 30-30.

WAIS athlete Caitlin Bassett shot at 100 percent in the first half with 17 goals from 17 attempts, while her partner in crime, goal attack Cath Cox, shot 13 from 14.

Going into the third quarter, Fever brought Andrea Gilmore (WAIS) on at wing defence to replace Chanel Gomes but it wasn’t long before the Firebirds went on a run.

They scored seven goals to one before the Fever called a time-out. Goal defender Josie Janz (WAIS) received attention on her ankle and was taken from the court, which led to fellow WAIS athlete Courtney Bruce being introduced to the game. She was moved to goal keeper on the dynamic and athletic Romelda Aiken, Eboni Beckford-Chambers went to goal defence where she tried to quell Medhurst, while Shae Bolton (WAIS) was moved from centre to wing attack with Verity Simmons moving the other way.

The Firebirds however, were on a mission and by three quarter time had created an 11 goal lead at 49-38.

It was too big a hill for the Fever to climb in that final quarter. Although they won the term 16 goals to 14, the damage had been done.

“We want to show we can be competitive against the Australian teams and we were for a half,” Fever captain Cox said after the game.

“But a half isn’t good enough.”

Fever’s next opponent is the Adelaide Thunderbirds next Sunday, May 12 at Challenge Stadium. The game starts at 12.10pm and tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

– Netball WA