The NSW Swifts have continued their charge towards the Super Netball minor premiership after romping to a sixth successive victory with an 85-56 thumping of the beleaguered Collingwood Magpies on Sunday.
Collingwood entered the match on a five-match losing skid and facing an uncertain future following the announcement that the team’s participation in the national competition was under review.
The Magpies’ Geva Mentor takes on Romelda Aiken-George of the Swifts.Credit: Getty Images
The Swifts took control at Ken Rosewall Arena with a 26-11 blitz in the second quarter, then dominated after half-time to mark milestone games for dual championship winners Paige Hadley (150 games) and Sarah Klau (100 games).
The result means the Swifts will lock in a semi-final berth with one more win over the final four games of the regular season, while the 29-goal margin provides a valuable percentage boost as they draw level with league leaders Adelaide Thunderbirds on 30 competition points.
Hadley produced a masterful performance with 30 feeds, 19 goal assists and two intercepts as she became the sixth Swifts player to reach the 150-game mark.
Swifts star Paige Hadley smiles after being presented with flowers by her niece after playing her 150th match.Credit: Getty Images
“I feel like playing 150 games for the Swifts, who I grew up watching the yellow dress, was so special and for the girls to put out of performance like that, I couldn’t be prouder,” an emotional Hadley told Fox Sports.
Hot shooting from two-point range by Helen Housby (9-of-12) and second-year goaler Sophie Fawns (5-of-6) kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Swifts on the way to winning every quarter.
“We knew that [Collingwood] were always going to try and come back, but it was really nice to be able to build every quarter today, that’s what we’ve been trying to look for,” Hadley said.