The NSW Swifts have returned to winning ways, dominating their long-time rivals the Queensland Firebirds 64-52 in Round 8 of Suncorp Super Netball at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Having fallen to a shock loss away to the Thunderbirds last week, today the Swifts were far more direct and purposeful, valuing possession and making the most of the turnovers that came their way.
The result means the Swifts return to the Super Netball top-two, however, Giants are set to play the Thunderbirds tomorrow, while West Coast Fever and Sunshine Coast Lightning have byes this weekend.
The Swifts are now 5-3 for the year and this Round 8 win was an important one given the team have their own bye next weekend.
The Swifts' next clash is a Round 9 tie with the in-form Fever at the same venue on Saturday 3 July.
Having made a slow start in Adelaide last week this time the Swifts came racing out of the blocks.
While the Firebirds did look threatening on attack it was the home side who were winning the 50-50 balls and the scrap for loose possession.
Sam Wallace moved well in the circle and Helen Housby also gave the Swifts midcourt good feeding options with her lines of running.
There were no Super Shots in the first quarter, despite attempts from Wallace and Firebirds attacker Tippah Dwan, and heading to the first break the Swifts led 15-11.
The Firebirds were much improved in the second quarter as their intensity lifted in all areas of the court. While their shooting combination of Romelda Aiken and and Gretel Bueta struggled to get to grips with the Swifts defensive unit of Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner in the first period, they moved better as the game progressed.
A missed Housby shot gave the Firebirds a window to close the gap and when the England international was unable to control a quick bounce pass from Wallace the Queenslanders were only behind by one.
However, as the momentum of the game looked to have swung in favour of the visitors, Wallace was quick to take a risk-reward approach.
She took two Super Shot attempts in the closing stages of the quarter and nailed both to restore her side's advantage. At the halftime break it was the Swifts who led by five, 30-25.
An offside call at a centre pass against the Firebirds and a fine rebound from Klau allowed the Swifts open up a nine-goal advantage early in the third quarter.
It would turn out to be a dominant period for the six-time Premiers as the Firebirds lost their way in attack circle. Down by 10 entering the third Power Five of the afternoon, the Queenslanders went to the Super Shot option quickly.
Dwan was unsuccessful with their first attempt of the period and Butea missed two more which gave the Swifts easy turnover possession. Heading to the last break the Swifts and an imposing 14-goal lead but they knew a few easy gains for the Firebirds would put them back in the contest.
They did get some early gain possession in the fourth quarter when the Swifts looked shaky feeding the circle and the gap was reduced to 10, however, a Briony Akle timeout calmed the home side and they regained their composure.
Having won the first three quarters the Swifts looked like making it a perfect game but two late Super Shots from Butea and Aiken meant the Firebirds edged the last period (18-16) but the game was beyond their reach by then.
Quarter by quarter scores
SWIFTS | Q1: 15, Q2: 30 (15), Q3: 48 (18), Q4: 64 (16)
FIREBIRDS | Q1: 11, Q2: 25 (14), Q3: 34 (9), Q4: 52 (18)
Starting Teams
SWIFTS | GS Sam Wallace, GA Helen Housby, WA Paige Hadley, C Maddy Proud, WD Lauren Moore, GD Maddy Turner, GK Sarah Klau
Reserves used: Tayla Fraser
FIREBIRDS | GS Romelda Aiken, GA Gretel Bueta, WA Lara Dunkley, C Kim Ravaillion, WD Gabi Simpson, GD Kim Jenner, GK Tara Hinchliffe
Reserves used: Tippah Dwan, Jemma Mi Mi, Rudi Ellis
Match Stats: View full match stats HERE
MVP: Maddy Proud (Swifts)
