Fierce extend streak against plucky Leprechauns
The Phoenix Fierce further displayed their premiership credentials with a blistering fourth-quarter comeback against a valiant Leprechauns outfit on Wednesday night.
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The Phoenix Fierce further displayed their premiership credentials with a blistering fourth-quarter comeback against a valiant Leprechauns outfit on Wednesday night.
In a tense finish to the first-versus-third Senior Division 1 clash, the Fierce stormed home to claim an impressive five-goal victory, but were forced to dig deep for it after they trailed by one at the final break.
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The Fierce, led by shooter Wendy Stafford, scored 13 goals to the Leprechauns’ seven in a rampaging fourth quarter to make it eight wins in a row heading into the competition’s two-week hiatus.
Fierce coach Naomi Moke said her team would focus on fitness during the break.
“For us, it’s about keeping our hands on the netball and keeping our strength and conditioning and fitness levels up throughout the school holiday period,” Moke said.
“We will try and make sure that we’re better than (we were tonight) when we return.”
Stafford looked to suffer an innocuous ankle injury in the second quarter, but returned with the match on the line in the final term and put her stamp on the game.
Leah O’Brien was dynamic in the midcourt for the Fierce and worked in tandem with co-captain Akayla Peterson to get the ball up the court.
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Australian Opal and WNBL player Cayla George used her height to her advantage from the wing defence position as the Fierce ran out 39-34 winners.
For Leprechauns, Saige Christison and Becka Marsters were impressive in the absence of injured captain Leeahna Ratima.
While the Leps did not come away with the victory, they proved they could hang in there with the competition’s top side, winning the first quarter 11-9 and the fourth 9-6.
In the other early Division 1 game, South Cairns Cutters earned a 41-25 win against North Cairns Tigers.
Originally published as Fierce extend streak against plucky Leprechauns