Netball: Thunderbirds sink sorry Swifts

SYDNEY - Adelaide Thunderbirds have stormed to their first-ever win over the NSW Swifts in Sydney with a comprehensive 51-40 victory in the transtasman netball league in front of a sell-out Mothers Day crowd on Sunday.

The Thunderbirds' victory is their second against the Swifts this season and ends the reigning premiers' seven-game unbeaten run at Sydney Olympic Park.

Australia shooter Kate Beveridge, who has struggled in recent weeks with her accuracy, rediscovered her impressive short game and was unstoppable for Adelaide under the high ball, landing 43 from 47 attempts at a season-high 91 per cent accuracy.

Swifts captain Catherine Cox (nine from 15) was subbed out of the game at half time after struggling against the tight defence of Geva Mentor.

On the back of a 12-goal quarter to Beveridge, the Thunderbirds took early control of the match and raced to a 14-9 lead by the first break.

The visitors, sensing a weakness in the slowing Swifts attack, went on the rampage in the second quarter, opening what seemed an unbeatable 13-goal lead to go to in at the main break leading 29-16.

But the Swifts wouldn't lie down and fought back in the third quarter to close the gap to six goals at the final break.

However, the Thunderbirds steadied through the sharp midcourt leadership of Jo Sutton and Mo'onia Gerrard and closed out the match to keep their position in the top four.

The Swifts woes continue as they fell to a 2-4 record this season.

- AAP