The NSW Swifts have clinched victory over the Melbourne Mavericks in front of a rowdy crowd at Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday night.
Swifts' Grace Nweke started where she left off in Round 1, sinking 16 of her 17 shots in the first quarter, with the home side finding good form early.
In the final minute of the first quarter, Maverick’s Amy Parmenter arrived with a beautiful intercept to steady things for the visitors as the Swifts headed into the break with a convincing 18-12 lead.
The tide turned in the second quarter, with the Mavs keeping pace with Swifts from the get-go. Shimona Jok led from the front, shooting 17/17 to keep her side within striking distance.
Amy Parmenter was strong against SwiftsTayla Fraser continued to drive the Mavs attack, including eight feeds, while Maisie Nankivell worked to quieten the dominant Verity Simmons. Two outstanding intercepts at the hands of Sarah Klau kept the Mavs at bay, as the Swifts led 34-30 at half time.
The visitors continued to feed off their first half confidence, hitting the lead and were up 48-46 in the third before the Swifts returned fire with a super shot, turnover goal and a second super shot from the hot hands of Helen Housby to end the quarter 51-48.
Helen Housby was named Player of the Match“We knew that Mavs would come back, and I think we had little lapses of concentration, small moments,” Briony Akle said.
“You can’t do that against such a quality side like the Mavericks and to be able to come away with a win and push out in the end, I’m really proud of the girls.”
Despite their best efforts, the Mavs struggled to hold their nerve in the final quarter as the home crowd roared to life.
Mavs coach Tracey Neville conceded that her side didn’t capitalise when they needed to.
“To get ahead of the game twice was pretty impressive,” she said.
“We just needed to maintain that lead and the super shots from Helen Housby got them back into the game.
“It doesn’t actually reflect the contest or the competition that was happening out there between the two teams and it was a great show of netball, but at the end of the day we’re here to get wins on the board.”
