THUNDERBIRDS CROWNED 2010 ANZ CHAMPIONS
11 July 2010
Producing a dominant effort, the Adelaide Thunderbirds proved too good for the First Windows Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in winning the 2010
Putting the disappointment of losing last year’s Grand Final, and a comprehensive loss to the Magic just three weeks ago, the Thunderbirds were deserved winners with a powerful outing.
Apart from the opening few minutes, the Thunderbirds held sway. A relentless defensive effort and accurate finishing under the hoop from the home team had Magic under the pump for most of the match.
Magic could not overcome a slow start after they were out-gunned in the first quarter and a purposeful Thunderbirds, in front of over 9,000 home fans, who had no intention of letting them back in.
In the only really contentious position, the Thunderbirds opted for the more mobile Erin Bell at goal attack in their starting line-up while Magic stuck with their same successful seven of the previous three weeks.
A string of turnovers punctuated the opening minutes before the Thunderbirds reaped the rewards from a strong defensive presence. Prolific shooter Carla Borrego found her radar after a tentative start, a telling eight-goal unanswered burst powering the home team out to a handy advantage.
Thunderbirds defenders Sharni Layton, Mo’onia Gerrard and Geva Mentor exerted all sorts of pressure, picking up vital intercepts and leaving Magic shooters living off just scraps.
19 attempts at goal by Thunderbirds compared to the Magic’s nine told the story of the first quarter as the home team headed into the first break with a decisive 15-8 lead.
A more cohesive defensive effort helped Magic contain the Thunderbirds on the resumption as the teams went goal-for-goal. Showing no signs of letting up, the home team continued to harass and were quick to pick up any soft or loose passes.
The Magic attackers were forced to work extra hard for everything with key shooter Irene van Dyk being well stitched up by Mentor. Stunned and unable to find many answers, the visitors slipped to 11 behind as Borrego and Bell showed slick work under the hoop for the Thunderbirds.
A late four-goal run hauled the Magic back into the contest as they went on to draw the second stanza but the Thunderbirds were still comfortably placed at 28-21 heading into the main break.
Inspired by some strong defensive efforts from Casey Williams, Magic made a positive start to the third quarter but it was short-lived. Struggling to hit the targets of shooters van Dyk and Jodi Brown, the feeders were often astray with their passing. The Thunderbirds defensive trio continued their smothering dominance with an outstanding showing.
Mentor’s long reach and jumping skills continued to thwart van Dyk. Enjoying a much greater volume of ball, midcourters Natalie von Bertouch and Emily Beaton excelled for the home team through court, feeding precision ball to the shooters as the Thunderbirds continued to pile on the goals.
Stretching out to a 12-goal advantage, Thunderbirds eventually settled for a healthy 39-29 scoreline at the last break.
Showing more flow on attack, Magic threw everything into a last gasp highly charged run to the line. Managing to narrow the gap to five, the visitors could not contain the rampant home team who were not about to let this one slip.
