Vixens take full points
The Adelaide Thunderbirds’ Super Netball season of perfect misery continues following a 72-50 home thrashing by the Melbourne Vixens.
After four rounds, Adelaide have yet to win a single quarter, conceding all four bonus points on offer under the new scoring system to their opposition in every game.
The Vixens claimed their third win from four games as they got off to an early lead yesterday, taking the first and second quarters by seven points each before cruising home in the second half to claim the maximum eight points. Vixens goal shooter Mwai Kumwenda shot a perfect 47 goals from 47 shots, assisted by a dominant mid-court led by centre Liz Watson.
The Thunderbirds were outplayed across the court except in the goal circle, where shooter Shimona Nelson grabbed 37 goals and pulled in a number of misguided passes against Diamonds defender Emily Mannix.
Her teammates struggled to get the ball down to their shooters, as centre passes veered off court and the ball made its way into the hands of the opposition to record 30 turnovers against the home side.
DEFENDING champion Sunshine Coast registered its first win of the season by defeating Collingwood 52-50 in Melbourne.
The Lightning entered yesterday’s match with a 0-3 record but showed signs of its potent best to build a nine-point lead late in the third quarter before holding off a Magpies charge.
Collingwood fought hard in the first half to stay in the contest but a 17-12 third quarter broke the match open. The Lightning’s defensive pressure took its toll, with Karla Pretorius and captain Geva Mentor combining for 10 intercepts. Goal shooter Cailtin Bassett led from the front for the Lightning, shooting 37 goals with 100 per cent accuracy, while Steph Wood added 15.
“It feels like it has been building over the past few weeks,” Bassett said.
“Obviously, we have been disappointed for the narrow losses so to have a win tonight is really good.”
Lightning coach Noeline Taurua missed the match after returning home to New Zealand to be with her ill father, with assistant Kylee Byrne stepping into the head coaching role.
“I think we had it in our grasp,” Keppich-Birrell said after the Magpies produced a 15-9 final quarter.
“It was a magnificent fightback in that last quarter and we had a lot of opportunities.”
The Lightning will look to score consecutive wins when it hosts the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Sunday while the Magpies travel to Sydney to face NSW Swifts.