The NSW Swifts have cruised to victory over the Southern Steel in a historic match in the ANZ Championship over the long weekend.

The Swifts won 65-52 over the Steel in the first ANZ Championship match to be contested in Canberra at the AIS Arena.

The Swifts raced to a 10 goal lead at quarter time before stretching that to 13 at the half time break. Sustained defensive pressure and solid shooting from Caitlin Thwaites, who tallied 32 goals for the match, eventually saw the Swifts secure the 13 point victory.

The win moves the Swifts to third on the championship ladder behind league leaders the Melbourne Vixens, the Swifts’ next opponent, and the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.