Phoenix beats Firebirds in thriller
By Melissa Woods 18/08/2006 10:04:07 PM
Melbourne kept its national netball league title defence alive with a thrilling 58-56 win over the courageous Queensland Firebirds.
The Firebirds missed a chance to level with just over a minute left on the clock, as the shot by goal shooter Jo Morgan missed its mark.
With the Sydney Swifts taking their unbeaten run into the major semi-final by thrashing the Thunderbirds, the Phoenix will now travel to losers Adelaide next Friday to challenge for a place in the grand final.
Last year the Firebirds failed to win a match all season but in the minor semi-final at the State Netball Centre, proved no pushover.
However it didn't start that way.
By quarter-time it appeared Melbourne, which has claimed the national crown a record five times, would run away with the match, leading 18-7.
Firebirds gun shooter Morgan looked a shadow of the player who slotted 56 goals last week, well and truly contained by Melbourne goal keeper Bianca Chatfield.
Up the other end of the court Chatfield's co-captain and fellow Australian representative Sharelle McMahon got off to a bright start with 11 goals from 12 attempts while goal attack Cynna Kidd claimed seven from 10.
But the Firebirds, who are coached by former Australian shooting great Vicki Wilson, slowly found their feet and fought back to within three goals, 26-23, by the halftime break.
Morgan and goal attack Belinda Dever started to find some momentum, while Queensland's goal keeper Mel McKenzie was a rock in defence.
The Phoenix faithful then fell quiet as the visitors, led by non-stop centre Karen Clarke, hit the front six minutes into the second half, up 31-30.
The lead continued to change hands but Melbourne was unable to shake the Firebirds, playing in their first final in the 10-year history of the competition, until just before the final break when they edged ahead by two goals.
Morgan was almost forced from the court with just over five minutes remaining when she fell heavily in tussle for the ball.
She carried on but Melbourne's finals experience shone through as they held on for the win, with McMahon and Kidd steering the side home.
Phoenix coach Julie Hoornweg said she wasn't surprised the Firebirds put up a fight.
"We made some ball handling errors and lost our rhythm and timing midway through the first half," she said.
"But they were red hot, we always knew they were going to give it everything they've got."
Firebirds skipper Peta Stephens was delighted with her side, despite the loss.
"The girls played out of their skins, they were absolutely fantastic."
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