[ad_1]
The Melbourne Vixens have survived an intensive examination from Tremendous Netball’s strongest defence to submit a 53-47 victory towards the Adelaide Thunderbirds at John Cain Enviornment.
Key factors:
- The Vixens scored their fifth win of the season
- Kiera Austin scored 11 objectives and two tremendous pictures within the Vixens’ triumph
- The Lightning posted a second consecutive win with their end result towards the Swifts
In Saturday’s earlier match, the Sunshine Coast Lightning’s resurrection as a premiership power gained momentum with a 69-62 win over defending champions NSW Swifts at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Enviornment.
In Melbourne, the Thunderbirds’ star Jamaican aim keeper Shamera Sterling didn’t disrupt the affected person Vixens, who tightened their grip on the highest two with their fifth win of the season.
Sterling completed with a final-quarter flurry however her two intercepts — under her four-per-game common — was proof of a disciplined Vixens outfit who took nice care to minimise threat within the neighborhood of the Thunderbirds ball winner.
“It was a bit extra scientific this week,” Vixens aim assault Kiera Austin mentioned.
“There’s a number of issues we nonetheless want to wash up … and we have been glad to maintain [Sterling] out of the sport.”
The low-scoring sport was painfully sluggish at occasions however that was a credit score to the house aspect who had a transparent plan towards the Thunderbirds’ athletic defence.
Austin shone at each ends of the courtroom with 11 objectives, two tremendous pictures, 13 assists and a game-high three intercepts.
Whereas statistically not their finest sport, defenders Jo Weston, Kate Eddy and Emily Mannix utilized strain that slowly wore down the Thunderbirds.
Adelaide is now on shaky floor after a fourth consecutive loss following two wins to open the season.
The absence of Vixens chief Kate Moloney as a result of Covid-19 protocols and Thunderbird import Lenize Potgieter (knee damage) created a stage for a few understudies to step up.
The Thunderbirds’ Lucy Austin (17 objectives, one tremendous shot) impressed on debut.
Lightning down Swifts
After stumbling within the opening two rounds, the Lightning are as soon as once more roaring after consecutive victories towards the earlier two champions.
They defeated the Vixens final week.
With Steph Wooden (seven objectives, one tremendous shot) uncharacteristically quiet on Saturday, the Lightning wanted spark from elsewhere.
They discovered it from aim shooter Cara Koenen (48 objectives at 98 per cent), defender Tara Hinchliffe and teenager Reilley Batcheldor, who produced a shocking nine-minute third-term blitz to place her aspect into the competitors prime 4.
“It was a bit ugly at occasions from us,” Koenen mentioned.
“We hadn’t received two consecutive video games but so this was an important one for us.”
Swifts captain Maddy Proud put aside the frustration of being ignored for the Diamonds squad to notch a game-high 57 feeds.
A courageous efficiency from defender Sarah Klau apart, the Swifts couldn’t win sufficient ball within the second half to produce shooters Helen Housby (26 objectives, 5 tremendous pictures) and Sophie Fawns (20 objectives, one tremendous shot).
AAP
[ad_2]
Source link