Fever Counts Cost of Loss

The West Coast Fever has limped from their 55-43 defeat at the hands of the New South Wales Swifts, with a number of injuries to key players.

WAIS scholarship holder Josie Janz was helped from the court in the third term, after a sickening collision left the star defender unable to return for the match.

Fellow defender and WAIS athlete Susan Fuhrmann was replaced in the final quarter with a knee complaint, while midcourt WAIS duo Andrea Gilmore and Shae Bolton both made earlier than expected exits from the bruising encounter.

Gilmore was forced to return to the line-up in the fourth as coach Jane Searle was stretched for fit players.

A positive for Fever was the introduction of Sarah Ebbott (WAIS) at wing attack. In just Ebbott`s second match in the ANZ Championship, she showed pace and determination to match it with the Swift`s midcourt.

Fever began the match strongly and led 11-10 in the first before five unanswered Swifts goals put the home team in front at the first change.

As the Swifts stepped up their defensive pressure, Fever`s error tally began to mount as Joh Curran (WAIS) and Susan Fuhrmann struggled to match the dominant shooting pair in Susan Pratley and Catherine Cox.

WAIS athlete Caitlin Bassett was double teamed most of the night, and finished the match with 27 goals at 82%.

Madison Browne (WAIS) fought hard throughout the match, after shifting to Centre in the second term, while Leah Shoard returned her most accurate shooting for the season so far.

But the high turnover rate and inability to stem the Swifts charge cost the Fever, who will return to Perth to take on the Adelaide Thunderbirds next Monday at Challenge Stadium.

Meanwhile the National Underage Nationals were held in Adelaide recently with several WAIS athletes competing through the respective age groups. The 17 & Under Team finished in fourth placewithsome very promising performances throughout the week.

WAIS youngster Courtney Bruce gained selection into the National 17 & under Squad as did WAIS scholarship holder Numi Tupeau (14) who were both outstanding. Ellie Smartand Denise Shepley gained National selection for the 19 & Under Squad and whilst the final placing of seventh was disappointing there were someimproved performances throughout the competition.

The National Camp will take place in Canberra in July where a 19&U National Team will be selected.

– With Netball WA