Fired-up NSW Swifts outgun Central Pulse for record win in ANZ Championship netball
RECORDS tumbled as the NSW Swifts roared back from their first loss of the season to smash New Zealand side Central Pulse by 38 goals in Sydney.
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A RECORD score, a record margin, a record tally for one of the top sharp shooters in the game.
You really don’t want to meet the NSW Swifts when they have a point to prove.
New Zealand side Central Pulse bore the brunt of the Swifts first loss of the season to the undefeated Firebirds a week ago during their record 79-41 goal thrashing at Sydney Olympic Park. on Sunday
And shooter Caitlin Thwaites lead the way with her career-best personal tally of 50 goals setting up the record 38-goal thumping.
Disappointed they hadn’t bought their best game to the grand-final replay with their Queensland rivals eight days earlier, the Swifts showed no mercy to Pulse in their ANZ championship round six match-up.
In a clinical display, the Kim Green lead Swifts racked up their highest ever score in ANZ championship netball, their best ever result again Pulse and their biggest winning margin against any team in nine years of competition.
“Did we, I had no idea,’’ said Green at the end of a match. “We don’t go out for record. But they are a nice bonus.’’
The Swifts outran, out shot, out defended and out classed the Pulse in every area of the court.
The NSW club reached 63 — their previous highest tally against Pulse — with more than 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
The 79 goal haul also total exceeded their previous best of 70 which was notched against the Firebirds back in 2011.
Another record set was for the Swifts biggest ever winning margin in a match with the 38 goal blinder smashing their previous record of 29 goals set against Pulse in 2008.
Along with team records was an individual one with an elated Thwaites cracking 50 goals in a single match for the first time with her half century scored from just 53 attempts.
“I had no idea. It’s nice to hear,’’ said the game MVP whose previous best individual haul was 47 goals..
Green said the Swifts went into the match keen for the kind of game they had wanted to play against the Firebirds a round ago.
“Last week were just super disappointed in the way we played,’’ Green said.
“We were super tough on ourselves all week and had great training sessions.’’
Green described Thwaite’s 50 as “fantastic’’ and deserved.
“She’s such a team player it’s nice fop her to get that one,’’ Green said. “It’s a great boost for her.’’
MATCH STATS
Swifts Shooting Statistics
Caitlin Thwaites 50/53 (94%)
Susan Pettitt 16/18 (89%)
Stephanie Wood 13/15 (87%)
Pulse Shooting Statistics
Maia Wilson 17/19 (89%)
Ameliaranne Wells 16/21 (76%)
Te Amo Amaru-Tibble 8/11 (73%)
MVP: Caitlin Thwaites (NSW Swifts