Adelaide Thunderbirds v Queensland Firebirds

The Thunderbirds have held off a gallant Firebirds team to secure a 54-goals to 51 win.

It was a hotly contested game from start to finish, with both teams playing a fast and physical brand of netball throughout.

Gretel Tippett became the first Australian player to shoot 100 straight goals in a national league competition when she put in her first goal of the game.

However, the Firebirds just couldn't catch a break with injuries after centre Mahalia Cassidy went down with a knee injury in the first quarter.

The Thunderbirds jumped out of the gates early, taking a 15 to 13 goal lead into the quarter time break as shooting duo Maria Folau and Sasha Glasgow frustrated the Firebirds defence.

The intensity of the game went to another level in the second half, as both teams threw their bodies into every contest but it was a frustrating third quarter for the Firebirds who couldn’t make any in-roads.

In the final quarter, Queensland burst out of the huddle and scored eight straight goals to take the lead. They found another gear and tore Adelaide apart with her sharp movements, cutting passes and massive defensive plays.

But Adelaide steadied late to come away with the win.

Despite the loss, Firebirds fans will be excited with what they saw from young shooter Abigail Latu-Meafou who was brought into the team to replace the injured Romelda Aiken.