ANZ Championship netball Rd 3: Swifts, Firebirds star, Jamaican shoots to success and new sister act

ANOTHER game, another record for the NSW Swifts and the Queensland Firebird. Round three wrap of the ANZ Championship.

Amanda Lulham

@amandalulham

3 min read

April 25, 2016 - 12:17PM

Supplied Editorial Swifts Caitlin Thwaits shoots in the second half. NSW SWIFTS V Adelaide THUNDERBIRDS, Swifts win

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IT was another game, another record for the NSW Swifts in round three of the ANZ championship.

It was also a record-equalling 16th consecutive victory for the Queensland Firebirds.

There was a sister act in New Zealand.

Swifts Susan Pettitt and Thunderbirds Kate Shimmn during the Swifts record win,

There was a timely return of a captain from injury for the West Coast Fever.

And once again Jhaniele Fowler-Reid starred under the ring.

All this and more in this week’s round three netball wrap.

NSW SWIFTS v ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS.

Another game, another win and another record for the Swifts in round three after their massive 68-44 defeat of Adelaide Thunderbirds at home.

After a close first quarter the margin just kept growing with the under-staffed Thunderbirds at a loss how to stop the rampaging Swifts.

The 24-goal win was the most emphatic in the history of battles between the two old rivals with the blowout allowing the Swifts entire bench court time.

Leading by just one at the first break, the Swifts found their rhythm in the second to take a 31-22 lead into the second half.

The victory made it three from three at home for the Swifts who now head to Perth for their first away encounter of the year.

Swifts in a huddle in the second half of their match against the Thunderbirds.

Swifts Shooting Statistics

Caitlin Thwaites 34/39 (87%)

Susan Pettitt 19/23 (83%)

Stephanie Wood 11/15 (73%)

Amy Sommerville 4/5 (90%)

Thunderbirds Shooting Statistics

Carla Borrego 28/32 (88%)

Erin Bell 13/19 (68%)

Kristina Brice 3/3 (100%)

MVP: Laura Langman (Swifts)

WEST COAST FEVER v MAINLAND TACTIX

What a great way for Fever captain Ash Brazill to return to the game from injury.

Fever, like the Swifts undefeated after three games, beat Tactic 64-50.

The match also saw Fever midcourter Shae Brown pick up her third MVP and Tactic teenager Charlotte Elley make her ANZ Championship.

Fever led the match 53-38 going into the final which gave hem the opportunity to send their bench into play.

West Coast Fever goal shooter Caitlin Bassett topscored for her side.

Fever shooting Statistics

Caitlin Bassett 35/37 (95%)

Natalie Medhurst 19/25 (76%)

Kaylia Stanton 10/16 (63%)

Tactic Shooting Statistics

Mwai Kumwenda 29/32 (91%)

Bailey Mes 18/22 (82%)

Gemma Hazeldine 3/3 (100%)

MVP: Shae Brown (Fever)

QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS v MELBOURNE VIXENS

Jamaican Romelda Aiken exploded with a 42-goal game to help the Queensland Firebirds to a record-equalling 16th consecutive victory in the league.

Aiken missed just three shots as the Firebirds beat the Vixens 58-47.

This winning streak matches mark set by the Adelaide Thunderbirds over seasons 2013 and 2014 and is also a new Firebirds club record for consecutive wins.

The Queensland Firebirds heading into the history books against the Vixens.

The Vixens, minus injured goalers Tegan Philip and Karyn Bailey, lost their second matched this year after being downed by the Swifts in their opener and then beating the Thunderbirds by 15 last round.

Vixens Shooting Statistics

Emma Ryde 22/25 (88%)

Alice Teague-Neeld 15/22 (68%)

Kimberly Commane 10/14 (71%)

Firebirds Shooting Statistics

Romelda Aiken 42/45 (93%)

Gretel Tippett 16/21 (76%)

MVP: Romelda Aiken (Firebirds)