The Suncorp Super Netball League season may be over halfway, but the top four places are well and truly still up for grabs as the league continues to serve up shock results live on NetballPass.
Both Firebirds and Melbourne Mavericks took those that tuned in by surprise as they recorded their second and third victories of the season against Thunderbirds and NSW Swifts.
For Firebirds their victory lifted them off the bottom of the table, whilst for Mavericks their win has left them only missing out on the top four currently by goal percentage as they sit on the same points as Lightning and Swifts (4th and 5th).
In the battle of the birds, it was Australian Diamonds Ruby Bakwell-Doran that excelled as she made five gains and one turnover at goal defence helping Firebirds to a 52-42 win.
For Tracey Neville’s Mavericks side all eyes were also on the defence as Australian Diamond Amy Parmenter dominated the centre court at wing defence making six gains and two turnovers, and her work was only backed up by Kim Jenner in the goal defence role who contributed a further eight gains.
The difference in this game was in the third quarter, which Mavericks won 23-12, allowing them to win the match 64-58 despite losing the final 15-minutes.
Both games are available to catch up on via NetballPass now for the international Netball Family.
Elsewhere in the SSN, the leagues two top teams continued to flourish with both Fever and Vixens recording their 7th victories, also live on NetballPass.
It wasn’t an easy victory for Fever though who were pushed every quarter by their visitors Lightning, who lead by one at half-time.
Just like in the Mavericks game it was the penultimate quarter that proved the difference here as Fever managed to win this by four, which was eventually enough for them to win the match 68-71.
Jamaican Sunshine Girl Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard remained accurate as ever for Fever, adding another 53 goals to her season tally which now sits at 453, and keeps her top of the goals scored charts.
For Vixens their 7th win came against now bottom of the table Giants.
The home side, Vixens, won all four quarters in this contest showing exactly why they have only lost once this season.
Australian Diamond shooter Sophie Garbin was the star player in this match as she scored 48 of her 51 shots, putting her 4th in the goals scored charts, and helping her team to their 74-60 victory.
With all still to play for in the SSN, make sure you are tuning in to NetballPass every week to watch all the latest action.
In Round 9 the international Netball Family will be able to watch:
- Swifts vs Lightning
- Thunderbirds vs Fever
- Giants vs Firebirds
- Vixens vs Mavericks
To view all the results, the current table, and read our International Player Watch preview, visit our SSN page here.