Official Result: NSW Swifts (67) def Adelaide Thunderbirds (

Official Result & Statistics

Official Result: NSW Swifts (67) def Adelaide Thunderbirds (53)

• Susan Pettitt shines for Swifts with MVP performance

• Game-high 42 goals for rookie Thunderbirds shooter Kristina Brice

• Swifts return to top of Australia Conference ladder

Bouncing back to winning form, the NSW Swifts regained top spot on the Australia Conference ladder after wrapping up a comfortable 67-53 win over the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Adelaide on Saturday.

After a one-goal loss against the West Coast Fever last week, the Swifts extended their lead at every break against a determined home team for their first win in Adelaide since 2010.

For the third week in a row, the Swifts were again missing influential captain Kimberlee Green, ruled out with an on-going knee injury. That meant the versatile Stephanie Wood slotted into wing attack where she played a strong hand.

Buoyed by their first win of the season last week, the Thunderbirds delivered a confident and productive opening against the Swifts.

With replacement shooter Kristina Brice revelling in her new-found starting status, the Thunderbirds ensured she got plenty of ball in her hands as the home team competed on level terms with the Swifts. The 21-year-old went on to notch a game-high 42 goals.

Working their way into the game, it was the influence of visiting goal attack Susan Pettitt who led the way for the Swifts. On the back of a strong all-round performance from the hard-working shooter, the Swifts stretched out to a five-goal advantage.

The Thunderbirds replied with a mini surge of their own, leaving the Swifts with a 15-13 lead at the first break.

With Pettitt continuing her impressive form on attack and a lift in defensive pressure from goal keeper Sharni Layton and midcourters Paige Hadley and Laura Langman, the Swifts gained the ascendancy during the second stanza.

Turning the screws defensively while showcasing their accuracy on attack and ability to punish Thunderbirds turnovers, the Swifts opened up a handy 32-25 lead at half-time.

On the back of a forceful third quarter from centre Hadley and the shooting duo of Pettitt and Caitlin Thwaites, the Swifts threatened to run away with the match. Superior all-round efficiency and the extra polish they provided pushed the visitors out to an ever-widening margin, extending out to 12 goals at one stage.

However, the gritty Thunderbirds struck back with a strong late surge, the honest toil of goal keeper Samantha Poolman and tireless efforts of centre Madeleine Proud paying dividends in reducing the Swifts lead at the last break to 49-40.

Pettitt continued to lead from the front, slotting an impressive 36 goals from 37 attempts, a season best performance to secure the MVP award.

Thunderbirds Shooting Statistics-
Kristina Brice 42/51 (82%)
Erin Bell 11/18 (61%)

Swifts Shooting Statistics-
Susan Pettitt 36/37 (97%)
Caitlin Thwaites 31/38 (82%)

MVP: Susan Pettitt (Swifts)

ENDS

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