Fever Put to the Sword by Reigning Champs

The West Coast Fever have been comprehensively defeated by 2010 Premiers the Adelaide Thunderbirds 72-53 at Challenge Stadium in their first home match of the new campaign.

The Thunderbirds remain the only Australian side to have a 100% winning record against the West Coast Fever.

The West Coast Fever started the match strongly, with three goals before the Thunderbirds were on the board. But from that point, the Thunderbirds charged back into the match, through strong midcourt drives and their contested rebounding.

Captain Nat von Bertouch was instrumental in her side’s fight back, winning the ball across the court.

The Thunderbirds headed into the first break with a four goal advantage, but it was in the second quarter that they blew the game wide open.

A six goal run by the Thunderbirds opened the second term as the Fever had no answers for the visitor’s run down court. Carla Borrego got the better of WAIS athlete Susan Fuhrmann with 18 goals for the quarter at 100% while goal attack Erin Bell continued her great start to 2011.

The lead quickly escalated past ten goals as the Thunderbirds quickly showed why they are the reigning champions. They put up 26 goal attempts to just six for the second quarter in a sure sign of the side’s dominance.

Western Australian Institute of Sport product Lindal Rohde was introduced late in the second period, as coach Jane Searle looked to her bench to find some inspiration, but her side trailed by 19 goals at the main break.

Searle again made changes to the Fever line-up with Leah Shoard reintroduced at goal attack, while both Alicia Janz (WAIS) and Chanel Gomes made their Fever debuts.

But they failed to stop the Thunderbirds carnage, as the visitor’s pushed their lead out to 27 goals at the final change. The Fever lacked drive to the circle and struggled to penetrate the Thunderbirds defence.

The final quarter saw wholesale changes from both sides, as young Madeleine Proud debuted for the Thunderbirds at centre, while 19-year old Kate Shimmin came on a goal keeper, and for the Fever, Lindal Rohde reclaimed her place on court at wing attack.

WAIS athlete Caitlin Bassett, with 49 goals for the match out of her side’s 53, was a stand out for the Fever, but lacked scoring support on the night from Ashlee Howard and Leah Shoard.

The Fever outscored the Thunderbirds by eight goals in the final term, but it was too little too late for the home side as the Thunderbirds ensured they would not make their worst start to an ANZ Championship season.

Jane Searle was disappointed with the result, but saw a few positives to take into Monday’s clash with the Firebirds.

“We really struggled tonight, and travel or not, it was a tough match. But we saw Lindal (Rohde) make her debut and Chanel (Gomes) was strong in defence so there are definitely points there for us to move forward.”

Goal attack Leah Shoard said the side is now focused on Monday despite the heavy loss.

“There’s nothing we can do about this match now. We need to look forward to Monday and make sure we put in a better performance.”

The Fever will need to regroup before Monday’s clash with the in-form Queensland Firebirds at Challenge Stadium.

– Netball WA