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Perfect Wallace sparks Swifts netball win

3 minute read

NSW Swifts' shooter Sam Wallace has made all 58 of her attempts in her team's 63-51 Super Netball win over local rivals, the Giants.

A titanic effort from prolific shooter Sam Wallace has helped NSW Swifts to a 63-51 Super Netball win over local rivals the Giants, in their most complete performance since winning the 2019 grand final.

The Trinidadian colossus made all 58 of her attempts at Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday and the Swifts didn't miss any of their 63 shots in an efficient offensive performance.

Swifts' officials believe its the most points Wallace has scored for them in a game without missing a shot.

The Swifts, who won back-to-back games for the first time this season, improved to 4-2, the same mark as Giants, who have lost their past two.

In front of 8158 spectators, the Swifts led by one, four and eight after each of the first three quarters.

The Giants fought hard in the final quarter, but couldn't get the deficit below six nor match the accuracy of Wallace.

"Its our style of play and I probably haven't seen it for 12 months, so I think for us to go back to that brand of netball of just keeping possession and being smart about it," Swifts coach Briony Akle said.

"We didn't have those brain explosions and throw long balls for defenders to read too easily.

"We took the focus away from the opposition today and put the onus on us to be better

With Wallace such a high-percentage option, the Swifts opted not to take a super shot, while Giants made six of their 14 attempts, and shot at 80 per cent overall.

"We played ourselves into a position where we had to take super shot, like everything else for us today it didn't feel as well as it normally does," Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald said.

"I don't think we played at all well today, I don't think our defence or our attack was as good as what we've shown in the last five weeks."

The Giants only returned from Perth on Tuesday but Fitzgerald didn't want to use that as an excuse for their lacklustre performance.

Fitzgerald made numerous changes across all lines through the middle quarters but couldn't shake the Swifts out of their rhythm or get close to them on the scoreboard.

Neither team led by more than two in a hotly contested first quarter.

Both teams controlled the ball well, with hardly any turnovers as Swifts led 18-17 at the first change.

The Swifts capitalised on a couple of turnovers to lead by six with under our minutes of the second quarter left.

Fitzgerald shuffled her circle defence around halfway through the second quarter, bringing on Kristiana Manu'a at goal defence for April Brandley, who less than a minute later returned to the court at goal keeper in place of Sam Poolman.

Three successful super shots from Sophie Dwyer kept the Giants within reach and they trailed 36-32 at halftime.

While Giants scored the first point of the third quarter, the Swifts shot to a 10-point lead heading into the Power 5 period and were 49-41 up at the end of the term.

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