Firebirds fly high to upset the Vixens

QUEENSLAND Firebirds pulled off a major upset, beating Super Netball’s minor premiers Melbourne Vixens 64-58 in Cairns on Sunday.

The Firebirds were outstanding from the start, sprinting to a six-goal lead at the opening break, extending the margin to double-digits and withstanding a fightback from the Vixens to become just the second team this season to beat Melbourne.

But their fifth win of the season was a reminder of just how good the Firebirds can be at their best and the team will be left to lament a draw and two losses of three goals or less that put them out of finals contention.

Vixens coach Simone McKinnis was not surprised by the Firebirds’ performance.

“They have been playing some great netball and we knew that being in this environment (in Cairns) they’d want to get out and have a great start,” she said.

An ankle injury to Diamonds midcourter Liz Watson forced McKinnis to alter her starting line-up with Tayla Honey at wing attack.

McKinnis also opted to mix her shooters, starting with Mwai Kumwenda and Tegan Philip before injecting Caitlin Thwaites into the game in the second term when the Firebirds’ lead hit double-digits.

Thwaites finished with 24 points from 17-of-18 shooting, including an incredible sevenof-seven from super shot range, her efforts threatening a miracle comeback in the fourth quarter when she and Kumwenda cut a 12-point lead to six in the dying stages.

Goal defence Kim Jenner, a Townsville product returning to her north Queensland roots, was outstanding, finishing with three intercepts and six deflections for six gains.

But it was a combined effort from the Firebirds’ defensive unit including goalkeeper Tara Hinchliffe and wing defence Gabi Simpson.