By Charlotte Knoke
A chaotic night in Adelaide has ended in a draw (25-25) between the NSW Swifts and Adelaide Thunderbirds after the game was called off at half-time due to a power outage.
Due to a high voltage transformer issue causing the lights to go off at Netball SA Stadium the match was not able to be completed in the allocated timeframe in which it must be played.
The game was declared a draw and points shared in accordance with SSN rules of the game.
While the game may have ended prematurely the first half was a blistering one from both sides.
Sarah Klau started strongly in her 100th domestic league game with an intercept for the Swifts.
Both sides went goal-for-goal for a while in the first quarter, but a misplaced ball from the Thunderbirds was picked up by Klau and the Swifts capitalised, giving them a two goal lead.
Helen Housby and Romelda Aiken-George showed a strong connection in the shooting circle for the Swifts, and Aiken-George was particularly strong against the Thunderbirds GK, Shamera Sterling.
Her height was a huge advantage as the Swifts midcourters were able to feed the ball over the top of the defenders.
A pickup from Latanya Wilson gave the Thunderbirds an opportunity to score, but Austin missed her shot and the Swifts were able to regain possession and score, maintaining their two goal lead.
Eleanor Cardwell seemed comfortable shooting from anywhere, taking shots from under the post and long-range with ease. But the Swifts defensive duo of Klau and Maddy Turner seemed to put a bit of pressure on her.
Tayla Williams was able to pick up an incredible intercept at the edge of the circle, and the Thunderbirds midcourters made quick work of getting the ball down the court for Cardwell to capitalise.
Latanya Wilson seemed to be involved in everything at WD, gaining multiple tips and intercepts for the Thunderbirds.
In the blink of an eye, the Swifts were out by seven goals, but Cardwell responded with two Super Shots, including one on the buzzer to bring the margin back to four.
The NSW Swifts ended the first quarter up 16-12.
The Swifts were looking calm and confident to start the second quarter. But an early offensive contact against Aiken-George was just what the Thunderbirds needed, until a wayward pass from Georgie Horjus meant the ball was back in the Swifts’ hands.
Sterling’s defensive pressure forced the ball out of court but when it reached Lucy Austin, the shot fell short and Maddy Turner picked up the rebound, with Housby capitalising.
Aiken-George was called for yet another offensive contact against Sterling, and Austin made amends and ticked over the scoreboard for the Thunderbirds.
Swifts co-captain Maddy Proud gained an intercept off the Thunderbirds’ centre pass, and almost instantly Aiken-George scored, bringing the Swifts’ lead out to five.
There seemed to be a lack of connection and understanding between the Thunderbirds’ mid-courters and shooting circle, with a few wayward passes being picked up by the Swifts defenders.
Tippah Dwan was brought onto the court as GA, with Cardwell moving back into GS for the Thunderbirds.
This new shooting circle seemed to work much better for the Thunderbirds, as Williams was able to feed the ball to Dwan with ease.
Cardwell sunk an important Super Shot and brought the margin back to three. She was pin-point accurate in the first half, shooting at 100%.
Wilson and Sterling once again gained multiple intercepts, and the Thunderbirds scored off both of their gained balls, drawing the game level.
The Thunderbirds won the second quarter 13-9, and scores were all tied up at 25-25 after the first half.
But that's where the match ended. After the power went out and play was unable to resume after the main break it was declared a draw and the Thunderbirds and the Swifts will receive two points each.
