Fever Vanquished by Vixens
The West Coast Fever recorded a nine goal (65-56) defeat at home to the Melbourne Vixens last Sunday in front of nearly 2,500 fans at Challenge Stadium in their ANZ Championship match.
A second half fightback wasn’t enough to overturn a 20 goal deficit accrued through the first two and half quarters, with the Fever now looking ahead to this weekend’s home clash with New Zealand’s Canterbury Tactix for their first win of the season.
Some impressive first quarter netball kept the game neck and neck for the opening five minutes, with Fever moving the ball promptly through the midcourt. Captain Natalie Medhurst dictated play under the post and worked confidently with her attacking counterparts.
The defensive pairing of Eboni Beckford-Chambers and WAIS athlete Josie Janz made the experienced Vixens front line think about their options. Vixens pair Karyn Bailey and Tegan Caldwell however, were impressive in their execution and the first term ended 17-16 to the visitors.
WAIS scholarship holder Courtney Bruce was given the nod by Fever coach Norma Plummer in the second quarter, coming on at goal keeper with Beckford-Chambers taking the GD bib. The young Vixens centre-court was dogged in their attack – Liz Watson, making only her second ANZ appearance – giving Watts plenty to think about.
An injury time to Medhurst at the 10 minute mark gave the Fever time to regroup, subsequently scoring three goals back to back and keeping them in the game. Despite some glimpses of tight play, the Vixens were the dominant first half team and went into the break 38 – 25.
With a 13 goal deficit to redeem, Plummer introduced WAIS athlete Kate Beveridge to the court at goal attack, moving Medhurst to GS. Shae Bolton (WAIS) made her 2014 home debut at wing defence and Ashleigh Brazill (WAIS) was moved to centre. This new combination took a while to settle, the score stretching to 47 – 29 when Beckford-Chambers took a short injury time with eight minutes remaining.
Some interesting use of a foot by Bolton gave the game a humorous moment, but the Fever found themselves with 37 goals to the Vixens 54, with 15 minutes left to play.
The final quarter gave the Vixens an opportunity for wholesale changes, Cath Cox making her first appearance against her former side, Kate Moloney back on at WD and Steel replacing Geva Mentor at GK.
Courtney Bruce made her presence on Cox felt at her earliest opportunity, but wasted ball on both sides kept all the players on their toes.
With five minutes remaining, Fever lifted all the way down the court. Interceptions from Bruce, Beckford-Chambers and Bolton caused the game to shift in the home side’s favour; the difference lessening by 10 and the crowd becoming the eighth player on court.
Glimmers of exciting and cohesive play provided Fever plenty to work on for their next match, but unfortunately a 65 – 56 loss was the final result from this game.
West Coast Fever are back at Challenge Stadium next Sunday, 16 March, as they meet the Tactix at 11.18am.
– Netball WA