MISSING a couple of key cogs the Queensland Firebirds had their work cut out for them against the West Coast Fever as the visitors powered home for a 10-goal win, 79-69. It was a tight tussle for majority of the game but the Fever showcased their class to get down to business when it counted.

It only took a couple of seconds for the Firebirds to hit the scoreboard with Romelda Aiken opening the account before her Jamaican counterpart Jhaniele Fowler replicated the same feats with a goal of her own. It was blow for blow to start the term with the physicality up from both sides and no pass left uncontested. Gretel Bueta’s workrate was up and about early with the goal attack running rings around Sunday Aryang to set up the attacking forays for the Firebirds. The high ball into Fowler was working wonders to start the game with Verity Charles more than happy to release the long bomb from miles away. A rare mistake from the Firebirds gifted possession back into the hands of the Fever as they stole the lead and within a blink of an eye went two goals up. The tables started to turn further in favour of the Fever as they skipped out to a three0goal lead. Kim Ravaillion employed some strong hands over pressure to come up with a much needed turnover and was quickly back into the action with another pickup.

Down by a couple of goals the Firebirds rallied with consecutive scores as Aiken impressed with her fingertip control and Bueta starred with her razzle dazzle. But every time the Firebirds managed to get on a run the Fever found a way to hit back with Fowler impressing and Courtney Bruce coming to life with her elevation over Aiken allowing them to win ball back. Rudi Ellis was making a real nuisance under the post contesting each and every pass that came Fowler’s way but that did not seem to faze the Fever as they held onto a four-goal lead.

Fowler wasted no time, picking up where she left off at quarter time to extend the lead to six goals. Back to back goals to Bueta got the Firebirds back within striking distance but the class of the Fever continued to come to the fore as they went on a string of three goals to re-assert themselves on the contest. Bruce continued to be a pest in goal keeper, pushing Aiken every step of the way while up the other end Ellis was receiving a wealth of attention from the umpire. Lara Dunkley was starting to come into the action for the Firebirds with her clever feeds and vision into the circle.

A huge win from Ellis and a Bueta super shot got the Firebirds back to within three goals and with the centre pass to follow they managed to cull the margin to two. Stacey Francis-Bayman and Aryang were working in overdrive to stop the ball from entering the circle with any type of speed. With the Firebirds tails well and truly up Alice Teague-Neeld came along and stole it back with a huge super shot to re-establish a four goal lead. Gabi Simpson was doing a mountain load of work in transition to bring the ball down the court but an errant pass off the hands of Aiken cost them the momentum.

It was goal for goal to start the third before Kim Jenner came to life with a clever chase down but the Firebirds simply could not convert. Bruce came up big with a nice intercept as the Fever continued to motor along and really punish the Firebirds. There was no easy pass for Queensland with the Fever riding them every step of the way. The Firebirds started to rally with the combination of Bueta and Aiken coming to the fore too as they strung together four goals in a row to reduce the margin to four goals. With the Firebirds upping the ante in defence and attack Sasha Glasgow entered the fray.

The Firebirds cut the deficit to four goals as Jenner sprung into action. Within the blink of an eye the home side were back within a goal as Bueta continued to lead the charge down in attack receiving just about every second pass. A huge super shot from Glasgow gave the Fever some breathing room heading into the final change as they blew the buffer back out to five goals.

Jemma Mi Mi made her way onto the court for the Firebirds and did not skip a beat with her speed and dynamism coming to the fore. Simpson sparked up with an intercept as the Firebirds once again ate back into the deficit but the Fever were able to maintain that level of continuity and composure to work the ball around the court, but then injury struck with Mi Mi forced from the court clutching the back of her leg. The tension was palpable as the clock continued to tick down but West Coast were unflappable holding onto that six-goal lead. There was simply nothing Queensland could do as the Fever powered home to win by 10 goals.

It was a battle of the Jamaican goalers with Fowler finishing with 64 goals at 97 per cent while Aiken slotted 41 goals from 49 attempts. Bueta had a game to remember for the Firebirds slotting 25 goals from 29 attempts along with 11 goal assists and 32 centre pass receives. Ravaillion was in fine form through the middle racking up 24 goal assists and an intercept while Charles led the charge for the Fever with her 25 goal assists. Aryang and Bruce managed a combined 10 deflections while Jenner finished with three intercepts to her name.

WEST COAST FEVER 20 | 21 | 17 | 21 (79)
QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS 15 | 20 | 18 | 16 (69)

STARTING SEVEN

Fever:

GS: Jhaniele Fowler
GA: Alice Teague-Neeld
WA: Verity Charles
C: Jess Anstiss
WD: Stacey Francis-Bayman
GD: Sunday Aryang
GK: Courtney Bruce

Firebirds:

GS: Romelda Aiken
GA: Gretel Bueta
WA: Lara Dunkley
C: Kim Ravaillion
WD: Gabi Simpson
GD: Kim Jenner
GK: Rudi Ellis

Photo credit: Jono Searle