The Firebirds ran away with the win in the fourth quarter, beating the Adelaide Thunderbirds 45-33 in their third and final pool match of the Suncorp #Team Girls Cup pre-season tournament.
After finding their rhythm in their second game against the Sunshine Coast Lightning earlier in the afternoon, the Firebirds were able to make it stick for all four quarters against Adelaide.
A dominant first quarter lead of 13-5 set the tone for the rest of the match.
The Thunderbirds brought the fight in the second quarter, but on the back of some crucial gains by Tara Hinchliffe and Kim Jenner they couldn’t stop the Firebirds’ building momentum.
Jemma Mi Mi’s speed and agility kept Adelaide guessing, as she lifted her game to another level with athleticism and flair. A crucial intercept and her body on the line netball was the fighting spirit the Firebirds needed to skip into top gear after a well-placed tactical time out.
Mi Mi and Mahalia Cassidy switched positions at the break, Mi Mi to Centre and Cassidy to Wing Attack finding some of their clearest passage all tournament into Romelda Aiken and Gretel Tippett.
Gabi Simpson didn’t miss out on the action either showing no signs of tiring after three games of netball in two days, making four gains and taking two intercepts.
Still just within reach going into the final quarter down 33-27, the Thunderbirds just couldn’t break the momentum.
The Firebirds giving the home crowd much to cheer about, running out with the game 45-33.
The final day of the Suncorp #TeamGirls Cup kicks off at 9.30am on Telstra TV tomorrow. The Lorna Jane Queensland Firebirds will play off for 5th place against the New South Wales Swifts at 10.30am.
The Grand Final will be contested by the Collingwood Magpies and the Melbourne Vixens and will be broadcast live on Channel 9 from 12.30pm.
