Record start continues for Super Netball pacesetters
Sunday's contest at Ken Rosewall Arena drew together two teams at different ends of the ladder, but the Giants threw everything they had at their unbeaten rivals before falling to an 82-69 defeat.
While the Swifts remain unbeaten after six rounds - continuing their best start to a season - the Giants remain at the bottom of the ladder with just one win.
The Swifts got off to a sluggish start that has typified their recent matches.
They still managed to hold a three-goal lead at the main break after a feisty first half featuring a physical battle between Swifts centre Paige Hadley and her Giants counterpart and fellow Diamond Jamie-Lee Price.
But the third quarter proved crucial as the competition front-runners streaked away with the match, extending their lead to 60-48 with sharp-shooter Grace Nweke almost unstoppable.
Down the other end, Swifts keeper Teigan O'Shannassy also kept a tight lid on the Giants and was named player of the match.
The Giants lost Jo Harten with a mystery injury. The veteran shooter made her way off court and down the tunnel midway through the third quarter and was unable to return.
Harten had been in blistering form, with 25 goals from 25 attempts and two from four from the two-point range.
Matisse Leatherbarrow took over the GS bib and was also on target with 16 goals from 19 attempts, including five super shots.
The Giants tried to claw their way back into the match in the final term but the deficit proved too much, with the Swifts' Kiwi ace Nweke finishing with a mammoth haul of 64 goals from 67 attempts.
Briony Akle's troops extended their dominance over the Giants, now winning their past six clashes.
"We wanted to start each quarter hard, we wanted to come out and lay a mark and I think we did that," said ex-Giant O'Shannassy.
"We got told by Briony to go out and do what we do best, individually and as a team, and getting that freedom from the coach is something that lifts everyone up.
"It's the battle of NSW and no matter where they (Giants) are on the ladder they bring out the best in us and no matter where we are in the ladder it's always going to be a great game."
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