Fever Edged by Swifts in Season Opener

West Coast Fever has recorded a narrow three goal (54-51) defeat against the NSW Swifts in Sydney on the weekend, in their first match of the 2014 ANZ Championship season.

Fever led at both quarter and half time breaks, but was unable to seal an early season upset, with the hosts rallying in the second half and holding off a fast gelling Fever squad for the win.

WAIS athlete Josie Janz had an inspiring first quarter, blocking Susan Pratley’s drive on the baseline, while another WAIS supported athlete in Ashleigh Brazill helped the Fever work out of defence and into attack, with a highlight a long-range pass from the centre third from Brazill that landed in the hands of Caitlin Bassett (WAIS) who put the goal away.

The Fever goal circle combination of Bassett and new recruit (and new captain) Nat Medhurst worked smoothly from the outset and benefitted from the positioning and hard running of two of Fever’s other new season additions Chelsea Pitman and Khao Watts.

Fever started strongly to lead 15-12 at quarter time and led by seven goals at one stage in the second quarter before claiming a 30-27 lead at half-time.

Bassett had 23 goals from 28 attempts in the first half, while Medhurst shot at 100 percent, landing 7 from 7 including some trademark long bombs.

Still having made no positional changes, the Fever started the third quarter by scoring the first two goals, but the Swifts climbed their way back into the contest to level the scores at 43-43 by three quarter time.

The Fever’s first changes came with 2.47min left in the third term with Shae Bolton (WAIS) going on to replace Watts and Chanel Gomes on to replace Janz. Gomes moved into goal keeper to allow Eboni Beckford-Chambers to run out at goal defence.

The opening three goals of the fourth quarter went the way of the Swifts and from there the Fever couldn’t work their way back.

“That first half was fantastic,” said Fever captain Nat Medhurst after the game.

“In the second half we wasted the ball so we’ll need to address that.”

The Fever’s first home game is next Sunday 9 March at Challenge Stadium against the Melbourne Vixens. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. The game starts at 9.18am.

– with Netball WA