Netball: Steel shoots record score

1.98m Jamaican supershooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid was unstoppable under the post for the Steel. Photo / NZME.

Southern Steel import Jhaniele Fowler-Reid has responded to questions over her form with a dominant shooting display against the Mainland Tactix tonight, helping her side to a record score.

The 1.98m Jamaican supershooter was unstoppable under the post for the Steel, notching up 58 goals in her side's 26-goal transtasman league win over the Tactix in Christchurch - as many as the entire Tactix side managed.

The Steel's tally of 84 goals was the highest for an ANZ Championship match, eclipsing the previous mark of 80 goals, which has been achieved by three teams.

All four Steel shooters contributed to the record tally, but it was undoubtedly Fowler-Reid's efforts that set the Steel on course for the impressive total.

Fowler-Reid was also on track to surpass her own individual league record of 65 goals last night until she was replaced mid-way through the fourth quarter after succumbing to a minor ankle complaint. At that stage the Steel held a commanding 24-goal lead and there was little point in the visitors risking their star shooter.

After a relatively quiet outing against the Mystics in last week's round five loss in Auckland, in which she was restricted to just 38 goals - well shy of her season average of 46 goals a match, Fowler-Reid was back to her free-scoring ways against the Tactix.

The Tactix didn't help their cause when import defender Demelza Fellowes fired up Fowler-Reid mid-week after labelling the Jamaican star a "one-trick pony". Fowler-Reid may not have the footwork, mobility or shooting range of some of the other top shooters in the league, but her key "trick" is a pretty effective one.

The Tactix defenders could do little to stop the flow of ball into Fowler-Reid last night, with the towering shooter's ability to hold space in the circle and strength on the rebound the key to the Steel's commanding performance.

It was clear from the outset it was going to be a tough night for the Tactix, with midcourters Shannon Francois and Gina Crampton generating good pace in their attacking play through the court early on, and finding their key strike-weapon at the back with ease.

By the first break the Steel had notched up a massive 24-13 lead, forcing Fellowes to retreat to the bench to try and assess how to stop the Jamaican giant. Fellowes' replacement, Louise Thayer, made little impact, as the Tactix once again conceded 24 goals in the second spell.

While the Canterbury side did a better job in the second half of slowing the Steel's scoring rate, the Southerners still managed to outscore the homeside in each period for a consistent showing that will delight coach Janine Southby.

In today's earlier game, the West Coast Fever maintained their lead atop the Australian conference with a 53-47 win over the second-placed Melbourne Vixens.

There were further concerns for the Vixens, with key midcourter Madison Robinson limping off late in the match in a distressed state after wrenching her knee awkwardly.