Sam Darroch | 20th June 2011| The Observer

WNBL Logan Thunder guard Diana Neves made a welcome return to Kev Broome Stadium on Saturday night as the Port City Power continued their QBL dominance with a 107-87 win over regional rival Rockhampton.

It was Neves’ first game back this season and her presence will be especially important with the unavailability of Natalie Hurst for the next six weeks.

And there was no time for settling in, with Rockhampton dishing up a fiery first quarter.

Gladstone was under the pump and led by a solitary point at the first break. But it was all Power from then on out as the lead opened to 20 by halftime.

Last week’s QBL player of the round captain/coach Jess Bibby was at her brilliant best with 45 points, seven assists and six steals, with Hannah Bowley (26 points) and the ever reliable Rebecca Haynes (16 points, 14 rebounds) providing stellar support.

After her third 40 point-plus game in as many weeks, Bibby said the Power’s latest win was a good confidence booster before the team hits the road for four straight away fixtures.

“Obviously the Gladstone/Rocky rivalry had us very motivated and I think last week we struggled a little in terms of hustle and effort and doing all the little things,” she said. “There was no chance of that tonight because we know how important it is to get that win against Rocky, and not just that it was important as a pool game because any win you get in the North pool almost counts for double.”

The Power restricted the Rockets to just 41% from the field in what Bibby labelled their best defensive performance of the season. “We had some specific goals that we wanted to achieve in terms of shutting down particular opponents, which we did and we were able to get off to the races down the other end.”

With last year’s semi-final opponent Brisbane and grand finalist Northside on the schedule for this weekend’s double header, Bibby is hopeful of making a big statement away from home.