ANZ Championships round 4 round up

West Coast Fever repelled a spirited Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel comeback to snatch a 56-53 win after a thrilling final few minutes of action in Dunedin today.  After spending the week in New Zealand, Fever rebounded from their loss to the Mystics with a much-improved performance. But they had to fight for it.

 

With Fever dominating the first half, Steel looked gone for all money but produced a powerful third quarter to leave them well placed for the win. Despite trailing narrowly for parts of it, Fever showed the better composure during a pressure-cooker last stanza with towering goal shooter Caitlin Bassett proving rock solid under the hoop as she sunk a staggering 49 goals for the match and all 16 of her team’s last quarter goals.

 

At the other end, Steel’s shooters felt the heat, suffering a few wobbles as they gamely chased what had seemed an unlikely win.   Both teams made strong, positive starts, the distinct lack of whistle being evident after Fever had accrued a record penalty count in their last match. Both ends provided quality shooting line-ups – the former Silver Ferns duo of Jodi Brown and Donna Wilkins for Steel and current Australian representatives Bassett and Catherine Cox for the visitors.

 

Both made early impressions before Fever asserted their intentions. Still struggling with her accuracy, Cox nonetheless marshalled Fever’s attack line and was all class with her distribution skills. At the other end, Fever defenders Susan Fuhrmann, England import Eboni Beckford-Chambers and Chanel Gomes provided a stiff wall of resistance as they picked off intercept ball.

 

Fever made the most of their greater opportunities to head into the first break with a 16-11 lead.Fever threatened to break away on the resumption as they made several strong surges, building on their lead but not quite able to shake the home team completely. Steel found themselves caught short defensively, Cox and the key target of 1.92m shooter  Bassett making the most of prime positioning under the hoop.

 

Slick on their transition through court, Fever dazzled at times with their speed and accuracy through court. Steel hung on grimly, battling to keep the score from ballooning out as the visitors went to the main break handily placed at 28-22.

 

With changes made to both teams for the second half, Steel executed all their trademark southern grit as they staged a determined and fruitful third quarter fight-back.  It was hard graft and nothing came easily but the injection of Philippa Finch into centre brought Steel’s attacking line to life. Courtney Tairi, at wing attack, was a measure of patience and control as she played a pivotal role in getting the ball to Brown and Wilkins. The two veterans rose to the challenge as they slowly but surely ate into Fever’s lead.