Thunderbirds trump West Coast

A dominant second half has helped cement the Adelaide Thunderbirds amongst the trans Tasman netball competition's frontrunners, the home side running out 66-50 winners over West Coast Fever at ETSA Park.

In a similar spectacle to the teams' round two clash - won 54-41 by the Thunderbirds in New Zealand - Adelaide were slow out of the blocks but came home strongly.

Natalie Medhurst top scored with 34 points for the home side while Kristen Hughes (24) was excellent in support.

Caitlin Bassett played almost a lone hand for the Fever, piling on a game-high 36 points.

The Thunderbirds started in their signature fast paced style, gaining a lead of three goals but the Fever proved hard to shake and fought back to take a two-goal lead by the end of the first quarter.

Some simple mistakes early on in the game saw Alex Clarke replace Emily Beaton as wing attack for the Thunderbirds in the second quarter.

Hughes and Medhurst showed some dynamic team work in the second quarter, scoring 16 goals between them, the Thunderbirds eking out a 31-30 lead at the break.

But it wasn't long before the home side showed their true colours, widening the gap by ten points in the third quarter.

The Thunderbirds ended the round six clash claiming the highest number of goals scored in a game this season and now have a 5-1 record in the competition and a share of first place.

Thunderbirds coach Jane Woodlands said she was very happy with the 16 goal victory, given the 13 point win they had over West Coast in round two.

"The Fever came back with a vengeance," Woodlands said.

"The lead could have been more ... it's a credit to Fever, they played really well in the first half.

"We never thought for a second it would be an easy game.

Woodlands admitted she was worried early on, but urged her players to concentrate on their planned moves.

"We were slow in the first half," she said.

"After a 15 day break we didn't know how well the game would come off, but our attack went well."

West Coast captain Stacey Rosman said she expected the Thunderbirds would finish in the top four of the competition.

"Especially if Medhurst keeps shooting at 90 per cent," Rosman said.

Of her own side, currently sitting second last, she didn't want to get too specific.

"I don't want to put a limitation on where we finish."

"We will just put it to the team each week to just get out there and play 60 minutes of netball.