|
A 61-goal haul from scoring sensation Jhaniele Fowler has powered the West Coast Fever to a 74-68 Super Netball victory over the NSW Swifts. The Fever improved to a 9-2 record and remain on track to finish the regular season in top spot but were made to work hard by a determined Swifts outfit. The Swifts went into Saturday's match at Quaycentre as major underdogs but the home side threw down the challenge to the competition leaders to lead by four goals at halftime. But the Fever produced a 20-13 third quarter to take control of the match with Fowler (61/65) proving unstoppable despite close attention from the Swifts' defensive unit. While the Swifts made life difficult for the competition's leading goal scorer, Fowler told the Nine Network she was pleased to eventually break down her opponents. "They put up a pretty good job so it was very important that I did my job and fight back really hard," Fowler said. The win moves the Fever nine points clear of the second-placed Giants with a second finals appearance in the club's history now within reach. Swifts import duo Sam Wallace (35/40) and Helen Housby (23/26) started in impressive style but faded out of the match in the second half. Coach Briony Akle rang the changes in the fourth quarter with new addition, England international, Natalie Haythornthwaite making her Super Netball debut. The Swifts were switched on early as they built a 20-17 lead in the first quarter, defender Maddy Turner's late intercept converted by Sam Wallace to swing momentum to the home side. The lead grew to four in the second term with the Swifts maintaining their advantage until strong defensive play from Fever defender Stacey Francis helped cut the margin to two approaching halftime. But another Turner intercept and a rare miss from Fowler allowed the Swifts to finish with a flurry, Wallace's goal at the buzzer earning them a second bonus point and a 38-34 lead. The visitors needed a lift in the third quarter and Fowler obliged as the Fever came out firing with a 10-4 start, going on to take a three-goal lead into the final change and putting the result beyond doubt with a 6-3 opening to the fourth term.
|
