Swifts take four points in NSW derby
A FAIRYTALE finish for the NSW Swifts get them one hand on the Carole Sykes Memorial Trophy in the NSW Derby over a tough GIANTS Netball outfit.
A topsy turvy outing for both sides saw several momentum changes with each side winning the quarter to follow. A last quarter fight back from the Swifts saw them come from one goal behind to take out the game 64 – 67 in front of a very vocal crowd at Ken Rosewall Arena.
History was on the Swifts’ side entering this match as they had won eight out of 14 in season games, featuring one draw in Round 14 of 2020. This now adds one more to their tally ahead of the next NSW Derby in Round 12.
The GIANTS were up six to three half way through the first term, but a scorching intercept from Maddy Turner (five gains, four intercepts and three deflections) on the baseline shifted the momentum heavily towards the Swifts. This was a game to prove for Turner after being omitted from the Diamonds squad and made public just days prior.
Some silly little penalties for the Swifts defenders made it easy for the GIANTS to get a free pass outside and inside of the circle and allowing a two on one proving costly with both GIANTS shooters able to shoot from anywhere in the circle and use their smarts to get the other one free.
Sophie Dwyer (29 goals) was on fire in the super shot range this whole outing, slotting seven from eight super shots, several with her heels tinkering with the edge of the circle.
The Swifts entered the main break ahead by one, leading 32 – 33.
The pockets were hot spots for the GIANTS defenders, getting plenty of touches with the Swifts throwing long balls that were forced, but they adjusted going into the second half.
An injury scare to now retired England Rose Jo Harten in the previous round made fans nervous if she would play this game or not. Throughout the whole match, it looked as tho the knee niggle had no effect on her as she slotted 35 goals, keeping her work rate high at the post rather than featuring outside of the circle.
The switch in positions for Sarah Klau (eight gains, six rebounds, five deflections, one intercept) and Turner saw Klau add some more physicality onto Dwyer who was absolutely dominating in the GIANTS’ attack end. Sitting back on Harten, Klau took the risk and went for a fly outside of the circle and won the game winning intercept, her only one for the game.
A fight back finish saw the Swifts get their third win in a row, whereas the GIANTS are still looking for that consistency and discipline in defence to not allow teams to come back from behind and take the four points.
Player of the Match = Maddy Proud (NSW Swifts)
GIANTS NETBALL 16 | 16 | 20 | 12 (64)
NEW SOUTH WALES SWIFTS 13 | 20 | 18 | 16 (67)
STARTING SEVENS
GIANTS Netball
GS: Jo Harten
GA: Sophie Dwyer
WA: Maddie Hay
C: Jamie-Lee Price
WD: Amy Parmenter
GD: April Brandley
GK: Lauren Moore
New South Wales Swifts
GS: Romelda Aiken-Geeorge
GA: Helen Housby
WA: Paige Hadley
C: Maddy Proud
WD: Tayla Fraser
GD: Maddy Turner
GK: Sarak Klau
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