Aiken-George steers Swifts into Suncorp final

SYDNEY, Australia (CMC):

JHANIELE FOWLER’S fireworks went in vain as her Jamaican counterpart Romelda Aiken-George propelled New South Wales Swifts into next Saturday’s final of the Australian Super Netball Championship with a narrow 65-64 victory over reigning champions West Coast Fever.

Leading 51-46 at the start of the final quarter of the final semifinal play-off on the weekend, Fever appeared a safe bet for the win but Swifts outscored them 19-13 in the final stanza, to come away with a dramatic win at Sydney SuperDome.

In a nerve-jangling finish, 19-year-old Sophie Fawns knocked down a super-shot to hand Swifts their first lead of the game since the first quarter at 64-63, before the 33-year-old Fowler levelled the scores at 64.

However, with just three seconds left on the clock, Fawns held her nerve to drain the game’s final shot, to help Swifts over the line and into the final against Adelaide Thunderbirds at John Cain Arena in Melbourne.

Aiken-George played a pivotal role for Swifts, scoring 25 from 26 attempts to lead the winners while England’s Helen Housby supported with a perfect 19 from 19.

Fowler, in her 150th league game, poured in 53 from 54 attempts to finish the campaign top of the scoring charts with 872 goals.

Fever led 19-15 at the end of the first quarter and despite a Swifts fightback, remained ahead 35-33 at the break. The third quarter was another competitive one with Fever coming away from the exchanges with a 16-13 advantage, before the final quarter set up the game.