A dominant final quarter display from the NSW Swifts was the difference between them and the Melbourne Vixens in Round 6 of Suncorp Super Netball at Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday night.
After a game that see-sawed from start to finish, NSW have firmed their position in the top four, rising to equal second on the ladder, however, there remain three games to be played in the Round.
Down by as much as nine goals mid-way through the third quarter the Swifts showed glimpses of the side that’s won two Premierships in the past four years with a heroic last 15 minutes to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this year.
Briony Akle’s team now have three wins, two losses and a draw on the board and next up is a huge local Derby against the Giants at the same venue in Round 7 when the regular season reaches the halfway point.
The Swifts looked sluggish in the opening exchanges, conceding soft turnovers which quickly allowed the Vixens race out to a seven-goal lead thanks to the accuracy of Keira Austin and Mwai Kumwenda.
A held-ball penalty against Liz Watson in the first Power Five provided the impetus the Swifts needed to get back in the game. From that turnover game MVP Romelda Aiken-George was cool under the post and Helen Housby followed up with a Super Shot to leave just three goals between the sides.
When the Vixens spilled possession again the Swifts had the chance to level the contest at the first break but a mad scramble for a two-pointer ensued. The risk didn’t pay off and the Victorians led 16-15 at quarter-time.
NSW hit the front at the start of Q2, emerging from the break a different team to land seven of the first 10 goals of the period.
For much of the quarter the visitors looked rattled, however, if the Swifts thought the Vixens were going to fold under the pressure their opponents were quick to respond.
The Swifts’ composure abandoned them heading into the second Super Shot period, and while no two-pointers were scored by either team in those five minutes, the home side were careless with possession on attack.
It enabled the Vixens get back into the game and instead of a five-goal lead, the Swifts had to settle for a 30-all score-line at halftime.
The long arms of Jo Weston and former Swifts champion Kate Eddy started to wreak havoc in the Swifts midcourt after halftime with both Housby and Paige Hadley forced into passing errors.
Once the Vixens had taken a five-goal lead Briony Akle injected Sophie Fawns and Teigan O’Shannassy into the game to refresh things but the Victorians were quickly taking a firm grip on proceedings.
A replay call against Maddy Proud didn’t help the Swifts’ cause and midway through the period they were nine goals down.
It was a high-scoring quarter in which the Swifts still managed to score 16 goals, however, the Vixens’ 22 in response had them in full control heading into the last quarter.
The only way to get back into the game was the perform the reverse and that’s exactly what the Swifts did.
There were no Super Shots from the home side in the final quarter, but instead the seven-time Premiers rediscovered the form that had brought them back into the contest earlier on.
Aiken-George was imperious at goal shooter and provided an excellent target when the Swifts went back to basics.
They converted hard-earned defensive possession gains and scored 21 goals to pip the Vixens at the post.
The result means the Swifts also take a one-goal lead into their Round 11 clash with the Victorians in the regular-season, aggregate battle for the Sargeant McKinnis Cup.
Quarter Scores:
Q1: Swifts 15 Vixens 16
Q2: Swifts 30 Vixens 30 (15-14)
Q3: Swifts 46 Vixens 52 (16-22)
Q4: Swifts 67 Vixens 66 (21-14)
Swifts Starting 7: GS Romelda Aiken-George, GA Helen Housby, WA Paige Hadley, C Maddy Proud, WD Allie Smith, GD Maddy Turner, GK Sarah Klau
Reserves: Teigan O'Shannassy, Tayla Fraser, Sophie Fawns (all used)
Match Stats: View HERE
