Jhaniele Fowler-Reid bagged 60 goals as the Southern Steel remained undefeated in the trans-Tasman netball league with a 69-54 win over the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
The comprehensive victory in Adelaide on Sunday also equalled the Steel's longest winning streak of four matches, improved their best-ever start to a season and retained their spot at the top of the New Zealand conference.
The Steel are enjoying the ride after a dismal season last year when they won just three games.
"We're not a big favourite. We're just... really enjoying the moment," Steel coach Noeline Taurua said.
"Everything after this is just a massive bonus for us."
Adelaide, conversely, remain winless after six rounds.
Steel goal shooter Fowler-Reid was the standout, needing just 70 shots to rack up her impressive tally.
Carla Borrego top-scored for Adelaide with 40 goals from 50 attempts but too often they turned the ball over under pressure from the Invercargill-based Steel.
The Steel led 32-24 at halftime, increased their advantage by two by the end of the third quarter and then strolled to an emphatic 15-goal victory.
The Thunderbirds' sixth loss equalled their longest losing run set between rounds four and nine in 2014.
Thunderbirds coach Michelle den Dekker was dejected given there were signs of improvement on Monday when they pushed the Northern Mystics hard before going down 52-49.
"We're just not contesting it and putting them under enough pressure and by the time it gets to Fowler-Reid it's too late," she said.
"I'm disappointed we don't have seven people beating their opponents."
The Steel and Thunderbirds have a bye next weekend with Adelaide playing Queensland Firebirds on May 22 and the Kiwi side facing Central Pulse on May 23.
Share
