Aiken wins, Byfield loses
Published:Wednesday | June 16, 2010 | 12:00 AM
MELBOURNE, Australia (CMC):
One side with a Jamaican their line-up enhanced its chances of reaching the Finals of the ANZ Championship and another was denied.
Goal shooter Romelda Aiken scored 47 goals from 62 attempts, as the Queensland Firebirds threw all they had into their imposing 75-32 scoring spree against the Canterbury Tactix in Brisbane.
Goalkeeper Althea Byfield seized her opportunities and finished with one rebound and seven deflections, but the Northern Mystics suffered a heartbreaking 50-43 loss to the Southern Steel in Auckland, New Zealand.
At the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, the Firebirds are fifth in the Championship on 14 points and they are making a frantic attempt to secure a top-four spot for the first time in the competition's history.
Highest tally
Needing to boost their goal difference percentage to keep in touch should statistics decide the top four in a week's time, the Firebirds racked up their highest tally ever, helped immensely by Aiken's brilliance.
The Firebirds opened a 20-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. But the Firebirds continued merrily in the second spell, adding another eight unanswered goals from the break. Through sound defence and an uncomprising attack, the Firebirds put up four times as many shots as the Tactix to lead 37-15 at half-time.
Aiken excelled under pressure from a frustrated Tactix defence and the Firebirds moved to a 53-24 lead after three quarters, before running out the clock in the final quarter.
In front of a sell-out crowd at the Trusts Stadium, the Mystics were desperate for a win to keep their season alive, but as it transpired during the 60 minutes on court, little could be done to stop a storming Steel team in their fourth win on the trot.
The Steel led 15-10, 26-22, and 40-32, as they denied the Mystics a last win at home and a shot at the top four. The result has furthered the Southerners own chances of making the Championship play-offs, as they have 16 - the same as Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic - and a superior goal difference and scoring percentage.