A vintage performance from Sharelle McMahon catapulted the Melbourne Vixens to a decisive 74-49 win over the West Coast Fever in ANZ Championship action in Perth on Sunday.

In sizzling form, the veteran shooter completed a personal haul of 40 goals in the highest scoring match of the league to date, as the

impressive Vixens retained their unbeaten run.

 

 The result spelt the end of the Fever’s winning run at home this season as they struggled to compete with the well-drilled Vixens, who continue to set the benchmark.

 

Clinical in their execution, the visitors got away to a flying start in a fast-paced game. The Vixens had all the early running and capitalised throughout the opening stanza on the Fever’s high turnover rate. The home team were rattled from the outset, unable to contain the efficient attacking play of the Vixens while at the other end of the court, key shooter Caitlin Bassett was a little shaky against the accomplished defensive duo of Julie Corletto and Bianca Chatfield.

 

Vixens co-captain McMahon was a prominent figure throughout the first quarter with her speed, timing and accuracy shining brightly as the score mounted. The athletic goal attack had a perfect start with 10 from 10 as a polished Vixens took a healthy 19-12 advantage into the first break.

 

A rearranged defensive line-up, which included the introduction of the tenacious Andrea Gilmore at wing defence, sparked the traditional Fever fightback in the second quarter. The impact of Gilmore produced a lift in intensity as the home team challenged for and won a bigger share of the possession.

 

The Vixens felt the pressure as errors crept into their performance and the Fever closed to within two goals. However, rushes of blood counted against the Fever as the quarter wound down and the Vixens steadied their ship to again take the initiative, restoring their edge as they headed into halftime 34-28 ahead. Six straight goals to the Vixens set the tone for the third quarter as the visitors ran riot.

 

Returning to the court with renewed vigour, the Vixens were almost unstoppable as they dominated all facets of the court. Producing quality and effective netball, there were few chinks in the Vixens play as they poured on the pressure in a powerful quarter. Strong defensive pressure created numerous turnovers for the Vixens and they made the Fever pay dearly. McMahon and Caitlin Thwaites were irrepressible in goal as the score mounted for the Vixens.

 

The Fever had few answers to the onslaught, wilting under the pressure with a rash of misdirected passes and poor finishing. The Vixens marched relentlessly on for an imposing 57-40 lead at three-quarter time. With the result decided, the Fever took the option of introducing several of their bench players for the fourth quarter while Ashlee Howard moved into goal attack for the Vixens. It did little to change the momentum as the Vixens maintained their decisive margin in a compelling performance.