Steel 58
Fever 43
KEY POINTS:
A return to safe, efficient netball has seen the Southern Steel continue their late season resurgence in the ANZ Championship, claiming their second Aussie scalp in as many weeks.
The Steel overwhelmed the West Coast Fever with a patient, clinical display reminiscent of the Southern Sting in the previous domestic competition.
Steel co-captain Megan Hutton was key to the home side's win as she shut down lanky shooter Caitlin Bassett, who has been prolific for the Fever this year.
The win boosts the Steel to sixth place on the competition ladder and leaves them with at least a mathematical chance of making the play-offs.
But the Southern franchise have a difficult run home, with tough matches against the Northern Mystics, Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic and Queensland Firebirds over the final few weeks.
The Fever, who despite their lowly status in the standings, have proved competitive this season.
But they were never able to settle in to their rhythm as the Steel made an emphatic start to take a 16-8 lead at the first break having barely made a mistake in the opening stanza.
Despite a shaky second-quarter, the Steel managed to maintain an eight-goal lead at halftime, and from there raced away to secure their most convincing win of the season.
