Aiken-George helps Swifts clinch top spot

BRISBANE, Australia (CMC):

SUNSHINE GIRL Romelda Aiken-George dominated as New South Wales Swifts secured the top spot in the Australia Super Netball Championship with a round to spare, with a 78-65 victory over Queensland Firebirds last weekend.

Playing at the Nissan Arena on Sunday, the 34-year-old Aiken-George poured in 43 goals from 50 attempts, the victory taking Swifts to an unassailable 42 points ahead of next weekend’s final round.

An attritional first quarter saw the scores locked at 17, but Swifts pulled away in the second quarter to lead 38-32 at the break.

The third quarter proved the real difference for Swifts, the visitors out-scoring Firebirds 24-16 to put the result beyond reach.

England star Helen Housby supported Aiken-George with 17 from 18 attempts seven goal assists, and also chipped in with three centre pass receives, 10 feeds, and two deflections.

For the losers, Donell Wallam led with 34 goals from 38 attempts.

At the Adelaide Entertainment Centre a day earlier, previous leaders Adelaide Thunderbirds – featuring Jamaican national defenders Latanya Wilson and Shamera Sterling – slipped even further to third in the standings with a surprise 56-54 defeat to Sunshine Coast Lightning.

LATE CHALLENGE

Lightning appeared home and dry when they led 46-34 at the end of the third quarter but were then forced to fend off a late challenge after being out-scored 20-10 in the final stanza.

England’s Eleanor Cardwell led the Thunderbirds with 24 from 30 while Cara Koenen spearheaded Lightning’s efforts with 33 from 38 attempts.

There was no such disappointment for West Coast Fever, however, the reigning champions sailing to a 72-61 victory over Giants Netball, with Jamaican superstar Jhaniele Fowler scoring 61 goals from 62 attempts.

Playing at home at the RAC Arena in Perth, the contest was close at the break with Fever up 37-33, but the turning point came in the third quarter, with the hosts outscoring Giants 21-15.

For the losers, England’s Jo Harten netted 19 from 22 attempts.

At John Cain Arena in Melbourne, another Jamaica international, Shimona Nelson, shone with 42 from 43 attempts but her Collingwood Magpies slumped to a 64-55 defeat to home side Vixens.

Magpies led 32-26 at the break but were blown away in the second half, Malawi international Mwai Kumwenda pouring in 34 goals from 37 attempts and Kiera Austin shooting a perfect 15 from 15.

Fever, second on 36 points, Thunderbirds two back in third and Vixens fourth on 32 points, have all secured semi-final spots.