The NSW Swifts have claimed the spoils in the first local derby of the year by putting in an excellent four-quarter performance to down the ladder-leading Giants at Ken Rosewall Arena today.
The Suncorp Super Netball Round 6 clash, played in front of over 8,000 fans, certainly didn't lack intensity or passion but in the end it was the composure of the Swifts which saw them home 63-51.
Sam Wallace was simply flawless for the six-time Premiers, shooting 58 goals with 100 percent accuracy as the Swifts recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this year.
Another point of note was the fact the Swifts, who were the away team on the day, didn't attempt one Super Shot for the entire game, instead backing their systems to feed the ball to Wallace who rewarded them time and time again.
The result means the Swifts have improved their record to 4-2 after the first six rounds and will look to win their third straight against the Thunderbirds in Adelaide next weekend. A place in the top two after Round 6 depends on the result of the Queensland Derby between the Firebirds and Lightning.
After a pulsating opening 10 minutes, in which both sides only conceded one turnover each, the teams were locked at 13-all heading into the first Power Five of the afternoon.
Sophie Dwyer tried to score a Super Shot straight away but it didn't drop and that was the only two-goal attempt of the period. The Swifts' edged affairs in the opening 15 minutes, taking a one-goal advantage to the first break but there was very little in it.
A held ball penalty and a lack of composure in the attack circle by Giants gave the Swifts the early impetus at the start of Q2. Wallace was in good form under the post and linking well with Helen Housby, and before long the Swifts had a five-goal lead.
An offensive contact against Wallace gave the Giants the break they needed, but they couldn't get back on a level footing.
The Swifts had their chances to build an imposing lead but despite a replay penalty against Maddie Hay and a fine intercept by Swifts co-captain Maddy Proud, the Giants were staying well in touch.
Dwyer was then successful with three Super Shots just before halftime meaning the Swifts only led by four as the teams headed to the sheds at halftime.
The Swifts took advantage of a wayward Dwyer pass at the start of the second half to stretch their lead to seven and midway through Q3 that lead had grown to nine.
Both teams were guilty of conceding possession but the Swifts were making more of their chances.
Just before the Super Shot period Giants head coach Julie Fitzgerald called another timeout and her side were better in the Power Five; Dwyer and Harten sinking a pair of two-pointers between them, but the Swifts led by nine at the last break.
There were moments in the final quarter when it looked like Giants could give themselves a fighting chance in the final Power Five. Jamie-Lee Price took a wonderful intercept in the attacking end as the Swifts looked to put a stamp on the result, but at that stage they were pushing things and forced into taking risks.
The Swifts returned to the possession-based game which served them so well in taking out the 2019 Premiership. It starved Giants of the ball they needed and ran the clock down.
The score didn't reflect how much the Giants brought to the contest, but it was the Swifts who had enough to win every quarter.
Quarter by quarter scores
SWIFTS | Q1: 18, Q2: 36 (18), Q3: 48 (13), Q4: 63 (14)
GIANTS | Q1: 17, Q2: 32 (15), Q3: 41 (8), Q4: 51 (10)
Starting teams
SWIFTS | GS Sam Wallace, GA Helen Housby, WA Natalie Haythornthwaite, C Maddy Proud, WD Paige Hadley, GD Maddy Turner, GK Sarah Klau
Reserves used: Tayla Fraser, Sophie Garbin
GIANTS | GS Jo Harten, GA Sophie Dwyer, WA Maddie Hay, C Jamie-Lee Price, WD Amy Parmenter, GD April Brandley, GK Sam Poolman
Reserves used: Kristiana Manu'a, Matilda McDonell
Match stats: View HERE
MVP: Sam Wallace (Swifts)
