Aiken

BRISBANE, Australia, CMC:

TEENAGE JAMAICA goal-shooting sensation Romelda Aiken placed her named in the netball record books when the Queensland Firebirds retained their lead at the top of the table in the ANZ League Championship with a comprehensive 66-52 win to overwhelm the New South Wales Swifts on Friday night.

The 19-year-old Aiken shot an amazing 97 per cent, scoring 58 goals from 60 attempts - the highest aggregate in a match in the Championship - as the Firebirds maintained their unbeaten run at home and improved to a 5-1 record.

No stopping Aiken

There was no stopping Aiken and, invariably, the Firebirds, as they stormed back from a hesitant opening to record a compelling win over one of the pre-season favourites, as they consigned the Swifts to a second straight loss.

Once they clawed their way into the lead just before half-time, the Firebirds went on to dominate most facets of play with a spirited and determined showing.

Enjoying a greater percentage of the possession, the Swifts had the better of the first quarter, and their national goal shooters Catherine Cox and Susan Pratley, dominated the Firebirds defence to propel the visitors to a 19-15 first-quarter advantage.

The Firebirds appeared to rely too much on Aiken, but the introduction of Tamsin Greenway at goal attack in the second quarter boosted the Firebirds offence.

A greater urgency

There was a greater urgency from the home team, better service to Aiken, and in a late charge, on the back of five straight goals, the Firebirds drew level, a crucial steal providing the icing on the comeback as they headed into half-time 30-29 ahead.

The Firebirds maintained the momentum swing, their confidence more evident as the ball was transferred swiftly and accurately in the third quarter.

The accurate delivery from Greenway and wing attack Lauren Nourse provided a bounty of balls for Aiken, and with the Firebirds defence directing traffic at the other end, the Swifts error rate continued to climb and the home team soared to a 48-40 lead which they did not relinquish in the final period.

The ANZ Championship is an elite netball competition contested between five teams from Australia and New Zealand.