T'Birds end Swifts' run
06/27/2010 05:29:43 AM
The Adelaide Thunderbirds will host the ANZ Championship grand final after upstaging the previously-undefeated minor premiers NSW Swifts 52-38 at Sydney's Acer Arena.
The Swifts scored the first three goals of the major semi-final on Sunday but were comprehensively outplayed as their record-winning streak of 13 victories was ended.
The first ever unbeaten season in the Trans-Tasman netball competition looked to have taken its toll on the home side.
Skipper Catherine Cox had an off night shooting just 9-of-16, her misses proving costly as the home side raced out to a 13-goal half-time lead.
The T'Birds were sensational as they looked to avenge for last season's grand final loss to the Melbourne Vixens.
The underdog's intensity continued throughout the second half and caused a host of turnovers from the Swifts. In-circle defenders Geva Mentor and Mo'onia Gerrard were always a menacing presence with the accuracy of Cox and Pratley falling away under the onslaught.
The deficit was 18 by the end of three quarters as Adelaide's Jamaican goalshooter Carla Borrego hit 36 of her 42 attempts. That was backed up by Erin Bell's 13-of-17 effort.
The Swifts still have an opportunity to win their second championship in three years if they can get up in their preliminary final next Sunday in Newcastle against the winner of Monday's all-New Zealand minor semi-final between the Magic and Steel in Auckland.