- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The West Coast Fever think they are still in with a chance of reaching the trans-Tasman netball finals after suffering a 58-39 defeat by the Adelaide Thunderbirds at ETSA Park in Adelaide.
The Thunderbirds achieved their fifth consecutive win on Sunday in one of the least thrilling games of the 2009 competition.
Fever coach Jane Searle conceded the game was over by half time.
“It could well have been uglier for us than it was,” she said.
“We got pulled in the second quarter and to come back to have a competitive second half shows the character of the team.
“Their defensive pressure really stifled our attack.”
The Fever (4-6) held the Thunderbirds (8-2) at bay until the second quarter, when skillful goal keeping by Thunderbird Geva Mentor prevented Fever from scoring more than four goals in the period.
The Thunderbirds shooting duo succumbed to pressure from the Fever in the third quarter, attempting eight more shots than Fever but scoring one fewer goal.
“We’ve got just three games to go, there is no question we’re motivated and, look, I still think we’re a chance to make the finals,” Searle said of her sixth-placed side.
A strong performance by captain Natalie von Bertouch helped hold the Thunderbirds together, enabling the home side to retain an early lead and forge a 19-goal victory.
Coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson said she expected to win by less.
“The Fever had such a great game last week,” she said.
“So to be able to (try some new combinations) as much as we did and win by 19 against a team that’s knocking on the door of the top four is very pleasing.”
Woodlands-Thompson said her third-placed side strung together some beautiful passages of play in the first half of the round 11 clash.
“Nat von Bertouch was brilliant … I thought she really dictated the terms and forced a lot of mid court change early,” she said.
“I was satisfied with score line; a little disappointed that we really struggled in that third quarter, but it gives us plenty to work on.”
What’s your best bet? For great odds on all your favourite sports check out PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.