West Coast Fever v Melbourne Vixens

The Vixens and Fever have fought out for a spectacular draw with a Caitlin Thwaites buzzer-beater denying the Fever their first win of 2019.

The Fever opened their 2019 campaign with three big defeats so were looking to get that elusive win. They led by as many as five goals during the last quarter but couldn’t hang on, in a brave performance.

The two sides entered the last quarter with the scores level at 47-47, but it was the Fever who hit the ground running early in the final term, despite stand-in goal keeper Olivia Lewis being forced from the court with a calf complaint late in the third quarter.

Lewis defending a Thwaites attempt on goal

A Thwaites miss gave the Fever the edge, with their lead out to three goals with just over 10 minutes left on the clock, and when Liz Watson was called for a held ball inside the final six minutes, the Fever’s advantage was soon five.

The Vixens called a desperate timeout and were back in with a chance when Kadie-Ann Dehaney rebounded a Jhaniele Fowler miss, with a quick goal scored and then giving Tegan Philip reducing the margin to two.

It was then Watson who made amends for her earlier error, coming up with a deflection on a Fever centre pass to allow the Vixens to level the scores inside the last minute.