Netball: Easy win for Thunderbirds in Perth

PERTH - The Adelaide Thunderbirds remain in touch of the top-two in the transtasman netball competition after a 61-41 win over West Coast Fever at Challenge Stadium.

The win leaves the Thunderbirds in third position just behind the Melbourne Vixens and Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic having won all their games this season bar two against the undefeated Vixens.

The loss is the third straight for the Fever after a run of three to brighten hopes for the Perth-based team and they fall to seventh spot behind the Northern Mystics.

Up against Geva Mentor, Caitlin Bassett couldn't have her usual impact for the Fever shooting 25-of-31, while attacking partner Bianca Franklin struggled for the most part with 13-of-18.

At the other end, Kate Beveridge and Natalie Medhurst were equally effective scores.

Medhurst had 9-of-10 in the first period and finished with 32 goals at 86 per cent, while Beveridge had 29-of-38 for the game.

The Thunderbirds started strongly racing out to a 13-6 lead before three late goals to Bassett for the Fever had the margin back to five at the end of the first period.

While West Coast did get back to within four late in the second, Beveridge and Medhurst combined for the last four goals of the half to see Adelaide 26-18 up.

Despite Franklin having a better third quarter with seven goals, Adelaide stretched their lead to double figures and it was still at 10 at the last break after two long shots from Beveridge.

Adelaide stretched their advantage to 20 in the last quarter and they won by that margin.

The Fever (3-5) host the Southern Steel next Monday, while the Thunderbirds (6-2) return home for three straight games against the Mystics, Fever and Central Pulse.

- AAP