Firebirds in timely win over Giants

FIREBIRDS pair Gretel Tippett and Gabi Simpson celebrated their Diamonds selection in style yesterday, helping Queensland snap a run of two straight Super Netball losses with a 64-50 Giants thrashing at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

The Firebirds dominated from the outset, with the Giants only saving some face in the last quarter by winning it 18-16 to secure a bonus point.

But the Firebirds’ sevenpoint haul, made up of four for the win and three bonus points, moved them back into the top four with three rounds remaining.

Goal attack Tippett was superb for the 60 minutes, finishing with 29 goals from 31 shots.

But it was the Firebirds’ defensive pressure – led by the brilliant Laura Geitz – that was a highlight of the contest.

Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander named a 17-strong squad for this year’s Quad Series and Constellation Cup.

Simpson and Tippett were the only Firebirds in the squad after Geitz last week announced her retirement from international netball.

DIAMONDS SQUAD: Jessica Anstiss, Caitlin Bassett, April Brandley, Courtney Bruce, Renae Ingles, Sarah Klau, Emily Mannix, Kate Moloney, Tegan Philip, Jamie-Lee Price, Kim Ravaillion, Gabi Simpson, Caitlin Thwaites, Gretel Tippett, Liz Watson, Jo Weston, Stephanie Wood.