SYDNEY, Australia, (CMC) – Trinidadian Samantha Wallace was at the forefront as New South Wales Swifts remained in contention for the top spot in the Australian Netball Championship with a 64-52 victory over Jamaican Romelda Aiken’s Queensland Firebirds.

Playing at Rosewall Arena in Sydney’s Olympic Park last weekend, the 27-year-old pumped in 49 goals from 52 attempts as Swifts dominated throughout to march to their fifth win in eight games.

They lie second on 20 points but only on goal difference, as leaders Giants Netball top the standings on the same number of points.

The contest was a close one in the first half as Swifts rushed to a 15-11 lead at the end of the first quarter before Firebirds rebounded to close the gap, and be down only one, 30-25, at the interval.

Swifts dominated the third quarter, however, out-scoring Firebirds 18-9 to secure a 14-goal cushion at the start of the final quarter.

For the losers, veteran Aiken scored 38 from 48 attempts, as Firebirds remained sixth in the eight-team standings on eight points after losing their sixth game.

In the other game at the venue 24 hours later, Adelaide Thunderbirds with Jamaicans Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson, slumped to a 57-41 defeat to Giants Netball who won their fifth in eight outings.

Jo Harten led the winners with 24 from 28 attempts with support from Sophie Dwyer who chipped in with 23 from 28 attempts.

For Thunderbirds, goal shooter Lenize Potgieter netted 24 from 30 attempts.

Sterling featured at goalkeeper and Wilson at wing defence.

The result was never in doubt after Giants opened up a 29-17 half-time lead and then controlled the contest in the second half.