South Australia overcame a slow start to topple Western Australia 62-59 in Round 4 of the 2010 New Idea Australian Netball League at Anne Clark Centre, Lidcombe today.

After losing by just three points last night, W.A. came out fired up today and stormed away to an eight-goal lead early in the first quarter.  SA forced some turnovers in W.A.’s goal third and it allowed the South Australians to edge back into the game and they were down only four goals at the end of the first quarter, W.A. leading 16-12.

W.A. was able to find their shooters more easily in the goal circle but the shooters did not always capitalise, missing five goals in the second quarter. Late in the quarter the SA defence stepped up the pressure and came away with a number of intercepts to reduce the deficit to two goals at halftime, 28-26.

The teams stuck with their lineups in the third quarter and went goal for goal in the opening minutes. South Australian C Khao Watts made an intercept and when the SA goalers converted at the other end it sparked SA into life, running away to a four-goal lead at the final break, 47-43.

W.A. brought on Kyra Neal to C in the final term but the SA run continued in the final quarter. A couple of misses at goal allowed W.A. back in and they levelled the score at 54-54 with 6:15 left to play but when WD Alicia Janz could not get a handle on a centre pass it gave SA the chance it needed and they held on for the win.

Statistics

Quarter by quarter:
South Australia 12, 26, 47, 62
Western Australia 16, 28, 43, 59

Shooting Statistics:

South Australia:
Jasmine Keene 29/40 @72%
Mel Rowland 33/42 78%

Western Australia:
Stacey Northey 45/52 @87%
Ashleigh Neal 14/15 @93%