Fever Undone in Season Opener

Published On: 6 April 2009

Caitlin Bassett

The West Coast Fever were unable to start their 2009 ANZ Championship campaign with a win after going down 57-44 to the Melbourne Vixens at the State Netball Hockey Centre in Melbourne on the weekend.

WAIS athletes Caitlin Bassett, Susan Fuhrmann, Andrea Gilmore and Josie Janz all featured for the Fever as they put in a competitive performance against one of the competition’s stronger sides.

The Fever shot out of the blocks against the Vixens to hold down a 12-14 lead at the first break, but a lapse in the second quarter put the visitors on the back foot, with the Vixens winning it 20 goals to seven for a 32-21 half-time lead.

The Fever again gave a good account of themselves in the second half matching the Vixens in intensity to avoid a round one blowout.

Caitlin Bassett had a strong performance for the Fever shooting 38 of her 47 attempts for an 81% accuracy, which set her apart as the dominant shooter for the Fever.

The Vixens shared their duties with Sharelle McMahon (29 goals) and Caitlin Thwaites (24 goals) both keeping the Fever defence busy.

The West Coast Fever’s next match is away to the Canterbury Tactix at Westpac Arena on Monday April 13.