Honouring two of their stalwarts, the Adelaide Thunderbirds held their nerve to clinch a gripping 58-55 win over the Mainland Tactix in Adelaide on Sunday.
With ANZ Championship foundation player Emily Beaton, in her 100th match, and popular shooter Carla Borrego both retiring this season, the Thunderbirds delivered an emotional first home win in their last home game of the 2016 campaign.
In a match that could have gone either way, the Tactix showed plenty of character, a first win in Australia just eluding them on the back of an enterprising outing.
In a challenging season, there was none better than Thunderbirds captain Erin Bell, who proved rock solid under the ring and got through a big work load.
It was an entertaining spectacle from the outset, both teams playing with energy and purpose in a closely-fought contest.
Overcoming a slow start, the Thunderbirds found their rhythm and timing in the latter stages of the opening quarter. In a fast-paced attacking mode of game, rookie shooter Kristina Brice found her feet and with Bell, the pair produced a blemish-free return on the scoreboard as they pushed their team to a slim 17-15 lead at the first break.
With both teams putting extra emphasis on defence on the resumption, the game moved up a gear.
Athletic Tactix shooter Mwai Kumwenda proved a handful, the visitors quickly levelled up the score as momentum swung back and forth.
A calm and composed Brice, in tandem with the influential Bell, nudged the Thunderbirds back in front before the athletic ability and movement of Kumwenda, Bailey Mes and Erikana Pedersen on attack pushed the Tactix out to a four-goal lead.
Individual highlights from Thunderbirds defender Kate Shimmin helped pull the game back the home team’s way before the Tactix regathered their composure to close out the half with a 30-28 lead.
The game continued to lift in intensity through an absorbing and willing third stanza.
With both teams playing an exciting brand of netball in an evenly matched contest, it took some individual brilliance to turn the tide the Thunderbirds way.
Shimmin continued to excel defensively, picking off timely turnover ball with her ability to disrupt the Tactix shooters, while at the other end Bell delivered her best outing of the season with an inspiring captain’s knock from goal attack.
Extra opportunities helped the Thunderbirds regain the lead 45-42 at the last break.
Thunderbirds Shooting Statistics-
Kristina Brice 29/34 (85%)
Erin Bell 29/34 (85%)
Tactix Shooting Statistics-
Mwai Kumwenda 33/36 (92%)
Bailey Mes 22/31 (71%)
MVP: Khao Watts (Thunderbirds)
