An efficient Melbourne Vixens outfit came up clutch in a tense 58-57 Suncorp Super Netball win over the Firebirds, at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre.
The Queensland team had not lost at home all season before this match, but was staring down the barrel of defeat for much of the second half – trailing by as many as seven goals at one point.
They came storming back though, but a late turnover was latched onto by Vixens wing attack Liz Watson – who fed the ball into the circle for Mwai Kumwenda to shoot the winning goal.
Firebirds
|
Match-Up
The Numbers
|
Vixens
|
|---|
|
31
|
Mins in Possession
|
29
|
|
9
|
Gains
|
9
|
|
3
|
Intercepts
|
2
|
|
14
|
Deflections
|
19
|
|
85
|
Goal Shooting %
|
86
|
Firebirds defender Laura Geitz was the Nissan MVP in a beaten side and admitted that composure down the stretch has become an issue.
“I think we just freeze under pressure situations,” she said.
It was a fourth straight win for the Vixens who are now in a great position to secure a final’s spot this season.
Both sides came into this match with highly potent frontcourt pairings, leaving a mouth-watering battle in the midcourt to decide the outcome of the contest.
Watson came into the game fresh off a haul of 40 assists and 63 centre pass feeds last week against the NSW Swifts, and was looking to replicate that form against Samsung Diamonds star and Firebirds wing defence, Gabi Simpson, this time around.
It came as no surprise then that nothing could split the two sides midway through the first quarter with the scores locked at 9-9, with both outfits trying to find ways to break down their opposition.
The Firebirds managed to sneak out to a two-goal lead at one point, but the Vixens quickly hauled that back in and neither side could claim the first bonus point – with the scores locked at 16-16 at quarter time.
Despite goalkeeper Kadie-Ann Dehaney falling into penalty trouble at the defensive end, the Vixens edged clear in the second quarter with a three-goal advantage.
The Firebirds needed a spark and found one in goal defender Kim Jenner, who replaced Tara Hinchliffe midway through the term, who helped force a series of turnovers.
That allowed the home team to close the gap to just one goal in the second quarter, but the Vixens had the final say to win the bonus point and take a 32-30 lead into halftime.
Romelda Aiken was having trouble with her radar for the Firebirds, shooting at just 75 per cent in the first half which was the only real difference between the two sides as the Vixens shot with more efficiency.
Mwai Kumwenda was shooting perfectly for the away team and her work allowed the Vixens to ease out to a four-goal buffer in the third quarter.
A critical turnover conceded by the Firebirds allowed Kumwenda to extend that lead to seven and the Vixens began to take control of the match.
But the home side came roaring back with a four-goal unanswered run to stay in the game.
In the end, the Firebirds stole the bonus point for the quarter and closed to within one-point heading into the final term.
Jenner was forced from the court early in the final quarter after collecting an arm to the face, replaced by Hinchliffe.
It didn’t halt the Queensland resurgence though, with the midcourt finding their structure and stealing the lead midway through the quarter.
But a late error by Gabi Simpson for the Firebirds right at the end opened the door for the Vixens, she passed backwards and didn’t find her target giving much needed possession back to the away team, who gratefully converted it into a goal.
They managed to retain possession for the remaining few seconds of the game to close out a huge away win.
Q1: Firebirds 16 v Vixens 16
Q2: Firebirds 14 v Vixens 16
Q3: Firebirds 13 v Vixens 12
Q4: Firebirds 14 v Vixens 14
Suncorp Super Netball premiership points
Vixens 5
Firebirds 1
*No bonus points awarded for drawn first and fourth quarters
Firebirds shooting statistics
Romelda Aiken 38/47
Gretel Tippett 19/20
Vixens shooting statistics
Mwai Kumwenda 29/32
Tegan Philip 29/35
Firebirds starting seven
GS: Romelda Aiken, GA: Gretel Tippett, WA: Caitlyn Nevins, C: Mahalia Cassidy, WD: Gabi Simpson, GD: Tara Hinchliffe, GK: Laura Geitz
Vixens starting seven
GS: Mwai Kumwenda, GA: Tegan Philip, WA: Liz Watson, C: Kate Moloney, WD: Renae Ingles, GD: Jo Weston, GK: Kadie-Ann Dehaney
Nissan MVP: Laura Geitz
