The West Coast Fever and Caitlin Bassett prevailed over the Southern Steel and Jhaniele Fowler-Reid in an old-fashioned shootout to remain unbeaten in the trans-Tasman netball competition.
Bassett and Fowler-Reid were both dominant in goal for their respective teams but the Fever offered more support to their star shooter in the 67-60 win at HBF Stadium.
The Fever remain unbeaten after three games in their best start to the ANZ Championship.
They beat the defending champion Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane and now have beaten New Zealand teams the Northern Mystics and Steel ahead of a tantalising match up in Sydney against the NSW Swifts.
The two star shooters did as expected with Fever's Bassett finishing with 50 goals from 57 attempts while Fowler-Reid had 47 from 51, but Nat Medhurst offered Bassett strong support with 17 goals from 18 attempts.
Shae Brown, Khao Watts and Ashleigh Brazill also got on top through the mid-court for the Fever.
The Steel led in the first few minutes but then lagged until the third quarter when they regained the lead at 39-38 before the Fever moved six in front going into the fourth quarter.
Fever coach Stacey Rosman credits the newfound belief and confidence in the group for their start to the season.
"They have unbelievable belief in what they are doing in training and preparation so when they go out on court they know they have done the hard work," Rosman said.
"They know what they are prepared for so there's not a lot at this stage that will swing them too far off. They know what to expect and they are really professional with the way they have gone about it.
"We believe that we can win anywhere, anytime. Swifts are in good form and they've got some really good players. They are well drilled and they have a really sound game plan so our ability to present strongly, and keep our composure will be key next week."
