The Melbourne Vixens have retained their unbeaten 2009 ANZ Championship record with a classy 48-31 win over Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in Melbourne. The quality match-ups across the court failed to materialise as Steel, apart from a bright opening, struggled to contain a rampant home team.

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It was the fourth win on the trot for the impressive-looking Vixens while Steel slumped to a two-win/two-loss record. The New Zealanders lost their way and could not adapt at all to the change in style.

 

Steel made the best of starts, showing a sharpness on attack and strong resistance on defence to put the Vixens off stride.

Playing in the ANZ Championship for the first time after taking time out to have a baby, former Silver Ferns captain Adine Wilson stood out in the opening exchanges with a smooth and efficient transfer on attack. She also popped up on defence to disrupt the Vixens forward momentum.

 

The tall figure of shooter Daneka Wipiiti proved a solid target for Steel as she provided a steady start under the hoop. Patience prevailed as the Vixens recovered from a messy opening to find their timing and flow. A roll of five successive goals swung momentum the Vixens` way as shooters Caitlin Thwaites and Sharelle McMahon found their range.

 

The signs were ominous for the visitors as the Vixens headed for the first break 14-11 ahead. The momentum stayed with the Vixens after they made a rollicking start to the second quarter. Shooting out to a 10-goal advantage within six minutes of the resumption, it was all one-way traffic as the home team left Steel playing catch-up. Short, sharp, accurate passing had the Vixens in control as they swept through court faultlessly while Thwaites overcame her slow start with a commanding display of shooting.

 

Controlling the top of the circle, midcourters Chelsey Nash and Natasha Chokljat provided a quality service to the shooters. Too many loose passes counted against the Steel as the Vixens in full flight proved almost unstoppable. The combined defensive hustle from the home team threw Steel completely off stride.

 

However, the visitors managed to regain some composure before the break and were successful in putting a halt to the scoreline ballooning out completely. But in a damaging second quarter, the Vixens were well placed to lead 29-19 at half-time. Things did not get much better for Steel, who faced an uphill battle to break the stranglehold.

 

The Vixens kept their grip defensively, making it a hard day at the office for Steel who laboured mightily to get the ball goal-bound. There were no such problems for the home team, who, on the whole, were seamless in their delivery as they continued to pile on the goals.

 

Steel simply had no answers as relentless pressure took its toll, the Vixens creating numerous turnovers to ensure the visitors` game fell away. Ruthlessly effective at restricting Steel’s opportunities, the Vixens made full use of their own to jump out to a decisive 40-24 lead at the last break. With the game over as a contest there was no let-up from the Vixens, defenders Bianca Chatfield and Julie Corletto turning up the heat to continue the misery for Steel’s shooters.