Aiken's Firebirds win match

MELBOURNE, Australia (CMC):

Two teams with Jamaicans in their line-ups had mixed results in the ANZ Championship yesterday.

Queensland Firebirds, with Jamaican goal shooter Romelda Aiken on top, toppled the New South Wales Swifts 51-48 in Brisbane, Australia. But Canterbury Tactix, with Sunshine Girls Kasey Evering in the line-up, slumped to a defeat, when the West Coast Fever stopped them 54-48 at the Canterbury Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand.

At the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Aiken scored 28 goals from 37 attempts to help create a storm on the inside, even as thunder and lightning raged outside, knocking out the broadcasting satellite and delayed the start of the match.

At Canterbury Arena, explosive Jamaican defender Evering played her way into the game, unnerving West Coast Fever goal shooter Caitlin Bassett, snatching three key intercepts and deflecting six passes.

The Tactix fought back from a nine-goal deficit in the first quarter to even up the match at half-time 28-27, before the Fever finally stole back their early dominance in the first trans-Tasman clash of the season.