Fever pip Lightning in Super Netball thriller

Steve Barrett |

Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard has led the way for the Fever in their win over the Lightning.
Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard has led the way for the Fever in their win over the Lightning.

Goal keeper Kadie-Ann Dehaney’s critical fourth-quarter intercept has helped the West Coast Fever clinch a gripping 68-66 Super Netball win over Sunshine Coast Lightning at RAC Arena.

With two minutes left in the titanic, see-sawing battle on Saturday night, the Lightning led by a goal, with possession and the next centre-pass to come.

Dehaney athletically intercepted Reilly Batcheldor’s inbound pass with two minutes remaining, which led to fellow Jamaican Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard’s game-tying goal.

On the next play, Sunshine Coast shooter Cara Koenen missed a go-ahead two-pointer and the rebound was snaffled by Dehaney.

West Coast moved the ball upcourt where Fowler-Nembhard gave them the lead, which they clung onto as they passed the ball around for the last frantic 40 seconds.

Fowler-Nembhard finished with 55 points and six rebounds in a triumphant return, capitalising on Alice Teague-Neeld’s performance in the wing attack bib.

“It was awesome,” Teague-Neeld said.

“I feel like it’s always better to be out there in those moments – I’m so glad at watching such tight games.

“Credit to Kadie in that last bit to get that intercept.

“You’re never out of it. It was really good composure from our team in the last 60 seconds.”

The Fever jumped ahead 18-13 before being pegged back by a Lightning rally to square it up at 19-all at quarter-time.

The stalemate continued in a goal-for-goal second stanza, which ended with the score 35-all.

Sunshine Coast looked like gaining separation when captain Steph Fretwell ended the third stanza with a pair of super shots to put the visitors in front 53-50 with a quarter to play.

Fowler-Nembhard, making her second appearance for the season and her first in Perth, rattled off three goals in the first minute of the fourth to level proceedings once again.

A 5-0 response from the Lightning saw the momentum swing back their way, but the Fever had the final say, finishing the contest with a 9-3 run to win the last quarter 18-13.

AAP