Firebirds too hot for Swifts in the ANZ Netball Championships

Round 6, 2011

		Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
	NSW Swifts	13	31	41	53	53
	Queensland Firebirds	12	24	42	57	57

An improving Swifts, keen to reverse their three-goal second round loss to the Firebirds, held all the cards when leading by as much as eight goals early in the second half.

However, they surrendered that lead in the face of a brilliant second half from the competition leaders, desperate to keep their unbeaten record.

As expected, the rivalry was intense from the first whistle, the match being controlled by two New Zealand umpires.

The Swifts eliminated their slow starts of earlier games by being out of the blocks fast as they presented for their third game in seven days. Defenders Rebecca Bulley and Sonia Mkoloma showed their willingness to contest the high ball with some degree of success against Firebirds key strike weapon Romelda Aiken.

The early exchanges lived up to all expectations as a real arm-wrestle developed, the teams battling goal-for-goal with neither able to establish any ascendancy. Respective goal attacks Susan Pratley (Swifts) and Natalie Medhurst (Firebirds) were standout contributors while in an absorbing aside veteran Swifts shooter Catherine Cox and crack Firebirds defender Laura Geitz had a terrific individual tussle.

It was Swifts who just got their noses in front to lead 13-12 at the first break.

It was the home team who put their collective foot down on the resumption, creating a mini-break as they started to get the upper hand.

Cox and Pratley showed the value of their experience, providing plenty of movement in the circle as the gaps opened up. A three-goal run opened up a five-goal lead for the home team as the shooting duo found perfect positioning and telling accuracy under the hoop.

Wing defence Mo'onia Gerrard was a strong provider through court for the Swifts with the Firebirds left chasing as the home teams intensity showed no signs of wavering. Firing on all fronts, Swifts had stretched out to a healthy 31-24 lead at the main break.

That seven-goal lead quickly evaporated as the visitors staged a memorable third quarter fightback. The move of captain Lauren Nourse to wing attack and Elissa MacLeod from the bench to centre rejuvenated the Firebirds. A slicker service ensured Aiken and Medhurst became key figures after quiet second quarters.

The pair got the upper hand as they chipped away at the deficit while at the other end of the court, Geitz and replacement goal defence Clare McMeniman closed the gaps to turn up the heat on the Swifts shooters.

Levelling the scores with 2-1/2 minutes to go, Firebirds had the last say as they turned the match on its head to take a 42-41 lead into the last break.

The Firebirds held their nerve in a dramatic final stanza, holding a slim advantage throughout via their defensive exploits and the ability of Aiken to sink the vital goals. Despite the best efforts of Cox, the under siege Swifts' options on attack fell away in the latter stages.

Match Statistics

Goals / Attempts	53 / 61 (86.9 %)	57 / 68 (83.8 %)
Offensive Rebounds	3	6
Intercepts	4	7
Deflections	10	6
Contact Penalties	29	39
Obstruction Penalties	15	14
Turnovers	19	14
Bad Hands	3	4
Bad Passes	6	5

NSW Swifts

Queensland Firebirds