Pirate Galaxy » month of practice and a favorable bowl oppo

The Queensland Firebirds have booked a home Trans-Tasman netball semi-final after a pulsating 63-52 victory over perennial rivals NSW Swifts in the Australian Conference final in Brisbane on Monday night.The 11-goal victory kept the Firebirds undefeated home record against the Swifts intact and also ensured theyll host the 2016 decider should they qualify.Standing in the way of a fourth consecutive grand final appearance for the Firebirds will be the Dunedin-based Southern Steel, while the Swifts face New Zealand Conference champions Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the second semi-final.The contest began at an exhilarating pace as the Swifts gained early ascendancy until the Firebirds clicked into gear with Romelda Aiken at her dominant best finishing with 49 goals.I felt that was a really great game and both teams went at it all the way to the end, Aiken said.We stayed composed as much as we could because we knew theyd come out really hard and the Swifts are a team where you cant take your foot off the pedal.Theres still room for improvement and well definitely need to make the adjustments for the next game.There was no love lost between both sides as the raucous Brisbane Entertainment Centre crowd spurred the hosts towards a four-point lead at the first change.Queensland consolidated their lead in the second stanza with goal attack Gretel Tippett landing a series of spectacular long range baskets that saw the defending champions hold a 32-27 halftime lead.The Swifts injected fresh legs from the bench after the main break with wing defence Abbey McCulloch and wing attack Stephanie Wood joining the fray to add extra starch to the flanks.The changes failed to make an indent on the scoreboard with Tippett and centre Kim Ravaillion continuing to feed the Gilbert into the reliable hands of Aiken to open up a 10-point three-quarter time lead.Swifts coach Rob Wright made wholesale changes in the fourth quarter but they failed to make any impact as the unrelenting Firebirds stamped their authority to ice their double digit victory.Steve Grogan Youth Jersey . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Rob Gronkowski Patriots Jersey . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. https://www.patriotssportsgoods.com/Womens-Jarrett-Stidham-Inverted-Jersey/ .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. Rob Gronkowski Youth Jersey . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night. Stephon Gilmore Youth Jersey . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead.CLEMSON, S.C. -- Deshaun Watson tied his career high with six touchdown passes, three to Mike Williams, and No. 4 Clemson took another, strong step to the College Football Playoff with a 56-7 victory over rival South Carolina on Saturday night.If the Tigers (11-1) dont stumble against Virginia Tech next week in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship, theyll be off to college footballs final four for a second straight season.The Gamecocks (6-6) were little more than speed bump on that road that Clemson got past quickly, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the opening quarter and cruising to a third straight win in the Palmetto States biggest sporting event.We wanted to jump on these boys real quick, Watson said. Thats the motto every game, put pressure on them and have them back on their heels.Watson finished with 347 yards and matched the six TDs he threw in his first college start against North Carolina in 2014. He also likely crept a bit closer in the Heisman Trophy race to Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, whose team lost for a second straight week.Watson and the Tigers also wiped out memories of their last Death Valley game, a stunning, 43-42 loss to underdog Pitt -- Clemsons first home loss in more than three years.We started the ball rolling last week and were keeping the ball rolling, center Jay Guillermo said. Were hitting our stride at a good time.Watson and Williams got things going with a 34-yard TD catch. Then Williams dragged South Carolinas Jamarcus King on his for several yards during a 19-yard scoring catch. By the time Jordan Leggett scored on a wide open 11-yard grab, Clemson was in front to stay and Gamecocks defenders were yelling at eacch other.ddddddddddddWayne Gallman rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown. Williams caught six passes for 100 yards.Clemsons defense held the Gamecocks to 62 yards in the first half and posted its biggest margin of victory in the series since a 51-0 win in 1900.South Carolina avoided the shutout in the third quarter on a 33-yard halfback pass from Deebo Samuel to Bryan EdwardsTheres not a lot to say, Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp said. On the road recruiting tomorrow, thats the way well change our program.THE TAKEAWAYSouth Carolina certainly made strides over the second half with young players on offense like quarterback Jake Bentley and tailback Rico Dowdle. The Gamecocks will need to add a lot more talent on both sides of the ball before it can match up with the Tigers. Another month of practice and a favorable bowl opponent would still leave South Carolina feeling good about its progress this season.Clemson found its dominating form in its final home game of the season after its stunning, 43-42 fall to Pitt the last time here two weeks ago. More importantly, the Tigers showed a resolved it will need for a second straight trip to the College Football Playoff. If Clemson shows the same drive against Virginia Tech, theres no doubt it will play once again for a national title.POLL IMPLICATIONSLook for Clemson to move up a spot with No. 3 Michigans loss to second-ranked Ohio State.UP NEXTSouth Carolina will await its bowl destination.Clemson will face Virginia Tech in the ACC championship game in Orlando, Florida, next Saturday night. ' ' '