Fowler outshines Aiken-George to keep Fever unbeaten

MELBOURNE (CMC):

JAMAICA SUNSHINE Girlz goal shooter Jhanielle Fowler logged a typically efficient performance and outscored compatriot Romelda Aiken-George as defending champions West Coast Fever rolled to their fourth win on the bounce when they beat New South Wales Swift 78-67 in the Super Netball League on Easter Monday.

Fowler, who missed only one of her 166 attempts over the first three rounds, scored 54 goals from 55 attempts, including one Super Shot, in the pivotal fourth-round match at the Ken Rosewall Arena in the Sydney Olympic Park.

She led the performances of the group of Jamaican netballers that play in the most recognisable netball league on the planet, and the Fever defied a 33-from-37 performance from Aiken-George and used a massive second-half surge to secure the win.

Fellow Jamaican goal shooter Shimona Nelson proved difficult to stop, and compatriot Jodi-Ann Ward was stifling in defence as the two earned the Collingwood Magpies a redeeming 69-61 win against the winless Queensland Firebirds on Easter Sunday.

On the same day, the Jamaican defensive pair of Shamera Sterling and Latoya Wilson were again at their defensive best, but they could not stop the visiting New South Wales Giants from taking their first win of the season 59-54 against the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

A day earlier, Jamaican defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney helped to bring strong pressure for the Sunshine Coast Lightning, but Melbourne Vixens eased past her side 60-56 for their third successive win.

Fever lead the standings with 16 points, Vixens are second on 12, Thunderbirds are third on 10, and Lightning are fourth on eight with a superior scoring percentage ahead of fifth-placed Magpies, also on eight.

Swifts on six points, Giants on four, and Firebirds, yet to score, complete the eight-team standings.

In the fifth round, Giants host Magpies, and the T-birds face Vixens on Saturday while Firebirds meet Fever, and Lightning play Swifts on Sunday.