Harten and Francis come out on top in Round 8

Melbourne Vixens 63-60 NSW Swifts

Vitality Roses involved: Helen Housby and Natalie Haythornthwaite (both NSW Swifts)

NSW Swifts fell to their second defeat of the year after a pulsating top-of-the-table Super Netball clash at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena on Saturday.

The 63-60 result means Vixens remain on top spot of the ladder after eight rounds, with the Swifts in second after all of the weekend’s action.

There was very little to separate the sides in the opening half with both attacks looking sharp and composed.

Melbourne capitalised on strong defensive movement in the third to lead by four heading into the final quarter and grew their advantage to six.

A pair of Super Shots had Swifts back within one and they looked poised to pull off a phenomenal comeback but when a pass went awry with 60 seconds left, it allowed Vixens run the clock down and edge the contest.

After going off injured during the game, Housby will miss Tuesday’s Round 9 clash against Magpies as a precaution.

Score breakdown

Q1: Vixens 14-15 Swifts

Q2: Vixens 16-15 Swifts

Q3: Vixens 17-13 Swifts

Q4: Vixens 16-17 Swifts

Vitality Roses shooting stats

Helen Housby – G1 – 3/3 (100%); G2 – 1/3 (33%)

G1 = shots during normal play | G2 = Super Shots taken

Collingwood Magpies 54-69 GIANTS Netball

Vitality Roses involved: Geva Mentor (Collingwood Magpies) and Jo Harten (GIANTS Netball)

After a slow start, GIANTS stormed back to secure win number three for the season against struggling Collingwood Magpies.

Only time will tell if GIANTS, who are up to fifth following Round 8, can convert their fingertip hold on finals contention into a Super Netball top-four berth.

Jo Harten’s side were forgettable in the first quarter when turnovers and indecision hampered their efforts and Magpies carved out a 19-11 lead.

But GIANTS then seized control of the contest, winning the second (13-20), third (11-21) and fourth (11-17) quarters.

Magpies pair Geva Mentor (eight gains) and Jodi-Ann Ward (11 gains) were defiant but they could not do enough to slow the GIANTS once they got into full flow.

Next up, GIANTS face a tough task against top-of-the-table Melbourne Vixens while Magpies take on NSW Swifts.

Score breakdown

Q1: Magpies 19-11 GIANTS

Q2: Magpies 13-20 GIANTS

Q3: Magpies 11-21 GIANTS

Q4: Magpies 11-17 GIANTS

Vitality Roses shooting stats

Jo Harten – G1 – 19/23 (83%); G2 – 8/11 (73%)

G1 = shots during normal play | G2 = Super Shots taken

Queensland Firebirds 54-53 Adelaide Thunderbirds

Vitality Roses involved: Chelsea Pitman, Layla Guscoth and Kate Shimmin (Adelaide Thunderbirds)

Queensland Firebirds survived a dramatic late comeback to record a thrilling 54-53 victory over Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Firebirds flew out the traps and a near faultless first-quarter display, in which they committed just two turnovers, stunned Thunderbirds 20-12.

Thunderbirds looked more composed at the start of the second period but Firebirds edged further ahead to establish a 34-25 halftime lead.

The visitors made their move in the third quarter with six of the first eight goals and the match was delicately poised at 46-42 in Firebirds’ favour heading into the final quarter.

Both sides struggled to find their attacking flow in the fourth but Thunderbirds hit the front with five minutes remaining.

But the Firebirds kept their cool and key intercepts from captain Gabi Simpson and Kim Jenner helped deliver them enough opportunities to win it at the death.

Score breakdown

Q1: Firebirds 20-12 Thunderbirds

Q2: Firebirds 14-13 Thunderbirds

Q3: Firebirds 12-17 Thunderbirds

Q4: Firebirds 8-11 Thunderbirds

West Coast Fever 80-56 Lightning

West Coast Fever posted a record-breaking 80-56 win over Sunshine Coast Lightning at Nissan Arena.

Stacey Francis started at goal defence for Fever as a stunning first-half effort from her side set them on the path to reaching their highest score while also equalling the league record of 80 goals shared by Lightning and NSW Swifts.

Jamaican goal-scoring machine Jhaniele Fowler continued her outstanding season as Fever took complete control of the contest with a 24-8 second-quarter blitz as they regained fourth spot on the ladder.

West Coast built a massive 44-25 halftime lead then put the result beyond doubt with a 19-11 third quarter.

Lightning appeared powerless to stop Fever’s fast and direct brand of netball with Courtney Bruce and Vitality Rose Francis collecting 11 gains between them as the halftime lead blew out to 24 goals.

Score breakdown

Q1: Fever 20-17 Lightning

Q2: Fever 24-8 Lightning

Q3: Fever 19-11 Lightning

Q4: Fever 17-20 Lightning

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