Round seven of Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) took place over the weekend, with the ANZ Premiership entering its ninth round, and there were plenty of Vitality Roses involved across both competitions Down Under.
A strong final quarter from Sunshine Coast Lightning saw them defeat GIANTS Netball 58-52 on Saturday.
Jo Harten put up 25 goals but was unable to prevent her side from slipping to a third consecutive loss as they surrendered their position at the top of the table.
Geva Mentor helped steer Collingwood Magpies to a convincing 67-51 victory over city rivals Melbourne Vixens.
It was level after the opening 15 minutes before the Magpies moved through the gears to inflict upon the reigning champions their heaviest defeat of the 2021 campaign.
Nat Haythornthwaite and Helen Housby were unable to prevent NSW Swifts from going down 58-53 at Adelaide Thunderbirds in the most surprising result of the round.
Despite a late flurry of ‘Super Shots’ from Housby, the Swifts couldn’t wrestle their way back in a tight contest as the Thunderbirds secured the three points.
Safe as Housby 🏠#SSNThunderbirdsSwifts #EverythingIsPossible pic.twitter.com/iUTs5CVdUG
— Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) June 12, 2021
West Coast Fever moved into the top two after an entertaining 79-69 win at Queensland Firebirds in a high-scoring affair on Sunday.
Firebirds did their best to compete but the result means Stacey Francis-Bayman’s side have now beaten every team in the league as their 100% record remains firmly intact.
In the ANZ Premiership, George Fisher helped make the difference for Southern Steel in a cagey battle with Mainland Tactix that ended 47-45.
Tactix actually won more quarters than the Steel, but it was the work of FIsher’s team in the second period that saw them ultimately come out on top.
Elsewhere, 2018 Commonwealth Games champion Ama Agbeze featured in the final quarter of Northern Mystics 68-63 triumph at Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.
Suncorp Super Netball Round 8 fixtures
Saturday 19 June at 06:00am (BST) – NSW Swifts vs Queensland Firebirds
Sunday 20 June at 04:00am (BST) – GIANTS Netball vs Adelaide Thunderbirds
Saturday 26 June 06:00am (BST) – Sunshine Coast Lightning vs Collingwood Magpies
Sunday 27 June 04:00am (BST) – West Coast Fever vs Melbourne Vixens
ANZ Premiership Round 10 fixtures
Saturday 19 June at 06:15am (BST) – Southern Steel vs Northern Stars
Sunday 20 June at 05:15am (BST) – Northern Mystics vs Central Pulse
The ANZ Premiership is free to watch live and on demand here
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