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Melbourne Vixens consolidated their top four position in the trans-Tasman netball league today with a convincing 57-44 win over West Coast Fever.
The Vixens rebounded from their worst loss of the season last week, against the Queensland Firebirds, to cruise home against the Fever, who have only managed one win in the opening nine rounds of the competition.
Some perfect shooting by Caitlin Thwaites, with nine goals from nine attempts, got the home side off to an ideal start in front of a vocal crowd at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
Melbourne’s Australian goal attack Sharelle McMahon also chimed in with eight goals from ten shots to set up a 17-11 lead at the first break.
The only blight on the Vixens’ day was the loss of McMahon midway through the last quarter after she fell heavily on her troublesome left knee in a tussle for the ball and left the court.
She said after the match it was an ongoing problem but wouldn’t sideline her against next week’s clash with the Southern Steel in Invercargill.
Shooter Caitlin Bassett was responsible for all of the Fever’s early points with 11 from 12 attempts, and finished the match with an impressive 35 goals from 37 shots at 95 per cent.
With both teams wearing a combination of red, blue and green uniforms it proved confusing at times to pick the players, although the firing Melbourne midcourt, led by in-form centre Natasha Chokljat, didn’t have too much trouble finding their mark.
The Australian defensive combination of Bianca Chatfield and Julie Prendergast was also a class above, allowing the home side to maintain a comfortable lead, up 30-22 at halftime.
Heading into the final quarter with the margin out to 12 points, West Coast made a number of changes with Bianca Franklin, sister of Hawthorn star Lance Franklin, brought in to replace Nikala Smith.
The athletic goal attack had an immediate impact and finished the match with four goals from five attempts.
Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg said her side needed a big win after last week’s disappointing loss.
“We needed to win and win by some goals to help our percentage which is not all that good,” she said.
“The fact that we finished very strongly was a pleasing thing.”
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Fever’s coach Sue Gaudion questioned some umpiring decisions which upset her side early in the match.
“That’s out of our control and I guess that was probably a little bit disappointing,” she said.
“Our accuracy was there early … I guess it was the amount of load that we lacked in the first 15 minutes and some of that was indicative of umpiring decisions.
“I struggled to interpret some of the calls let alone the players on the court.”