By Chloe Pilkington
With the top four currently separated by the smallest of margins, the Round 11 match between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and the West Coast Fever was bound to be a blockbuster clash.
After coming off a record-breaking win, the Fever continued in strong form early in the opening quarter, breaking away with a 3-goal run.
Fever C Verity Simmons was out of action due to COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols. Young gun Jordan Cransburg was called up as her replacement, getting her first start after a stellar performance last week against the QLD Firebirds.
Fever's defence overwhelmed early, making it difficult for the home side to get the ball into the hands of their shooting circle.
Thunderbirds’ GD Latanya Wilson came up with a crucial tip as the TBirds trailed by 5, but the team in pink were unable to convert, losing the ball in the goal third.
A tactical time out was called by Tania Obst, as the score line pushed out to 8-14.
Georgie Horjus sunk the first Super Shot of the game, but the Fever continued to dominate going into the first quarter time with an 8-goal lead (12-20).
An uncharacteristic miss from Jhaniele Fowler was rebounded by Shamera Sterling and English International, Eleanor Cardwell rewarded down the other end.
After missing last week’s match against the Melbourne Vixens, Tippah Dwan was back in the Thunderbirds’ line up and made an instant impact in the second quarter. Dwan shot confidently from range and the TBirds clawed the deficit back to 4 (18-22).
Not shying away from the tough battle, Cransburg continued to impress for Fever and finished with the most Nissan NetPoints (77) for the her side.
Cardwell sunk her first Super Shot of the second quarter, bringing the margin back to 5 (26-31). Down the other end, Glasgow couldn’t respond, missing a 2-point attempt and Matilda Garrett was there to pick up the rebound.
The West Coast Fever still held a 5-goal lead against the home side going into half time.
The Thunderbirds came up with an early win in the third term, with an offensive contact called against Fowler.
After another extraordinary intercept from Wilson, the hosts were able to fight their way back to bring the margin to 33-35.
Fever coach Dan Ryan made positional changes, taking Sasha Glasgow off and bringing Emma Cosh into GA. The change rattled the Fever, with the defensive pressure of the Thunderbirds creating cracks in the away side's attack line.
This forced a tactical timeout by Fever, which saw Glasgow back into the GA position and Kim Jenner entering the game at WD.
Sterling came up with an all-important rebound as Glasgow's radar seemed to be off, missing another Super Shot. Cardwell punished down the other end, bringing the deficit back to 1 (38-39).
The TBirds levelled the score for the first time of the game (39-39), but Fever pushed forward, going into the final quarter up by 2 (39-41).
In true Fever and Thunderbirds fashion, the game came down to the wire in the final term.
Lucy Austin entered the game at GS, as Cardwell moved out to GA. Cardwell showed no signs of cracking under pressure and drained shots from anywhere in the goal circle.
Thunderbirds’ captain Hannah Petty made her first appearance on court, replacing Tayla Williams in C. Petty came up with a tip on Fever's circle edge, with Sterling there to pick up the crumbs. Cardwell rewarded down the other end and the TBirds levelled the score 47-47, with their centre pass to follow.
Cardwell came up with a timely intercept right on the Power Five siren and Austin opted to take a 1-point goal, putting the Thunderbirds in front for the first time of the match.
Glasgow responded down the other end with a Super Shot and the visitors called the final tactical timeout, with 4 minutes left of play.
Another stellar 2-pointer from Glasgow put the green army in front, but the team in pink answered with their own Super Shot and the score was all tied up once again.
With the final minutes ticking down, it was Latanya Wilson who willed her team forward, flying through with her second intercept of the game. Cardwell rewarded with another Super Shot and the top of the ladder side took the lead by 1-goal (52-51).
The reigning premiers refused to back down, as Glasgow sunk another 2-pointer, but it was all too late.
A broadcasting score error meant a late Super Shot off the hands of Cardwell was only counted as 1-point, which meant the Thunderbirds finished with a 1-goal lead against the Fever (54-53).
