Vix over Swifts in Thriller
It took a valiant effort by defending champions NSW Swifts to truly challenge the might of this season’s ANZ Championship frontrunners, Melbourne Vixens, in an extra-time thriller in Melbourne on Monday night.
But at the end of 74 highly-intense minutes, it was Vixens who remained unbeaten this season, eventually running out winners 65-63. They continue to top the table, one win clear of New Zealand’s top side, Colourplus Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.
Although it was the Swifts’ fourth straight loss, it was their most concerted and synchronised effort this far, and Vixens captain Bianca Chatfield acknowledged that after the game.
“That was the first time any team has challenged us right till the end,” she said. The Swifts also gave Vixens a timely lesson in fighting until the final whistle, and making certain each pass safely reaches its destination, with the game marked by a see-saw of turnovers.
Incredibly, the intensity never waned throughout the match, but it was the renowned composure of the Vixens line-up that eventually won them the game.
In their first meeting of the season, Swifts started strongly, with midcourters Kim Green and Vanessa Ware rocketing the ball through court to goal attack Susan Pratley who shot them to a 3-0 early lead.
Vixens were caught out making mistakes around their attacking circle, and the Swifts’ new goal keep Jessica Mansell took advantage of the starting jitters to snaffle some clean ball.
Although Swifts managed to hold that scoreline advantage for half of the quarter, Vixens drew level when goal attack Sharelle McMahon began to dictate play on attack. McMahon and goal shoot Caitlin Thwaites were unerring with their shots on goal for most of the quarter, missing only one attempt of 16, to lead 15-14 at the end of the first phase.
A succession of turnovers marked the start of the second quarter, and it took a few minutes before both sides were able to settle into a rhythm again. Three consecutive goals to Swifts allowed them to slip back into a narrow lead, but goal defence Julie Corletto’s ability to call any rebound her own saw Vixens inch ahead once more.
But at the end of 74 highly-intense minutes, it was Vixens who remained unbeaten this season, eventually running out winners 65-63. They continue to top the table, one win clear of New Zealand’s top side, Colourplus Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.
Although it was the Swifts’ fourth straight loss, it was their most concerted and synchronised effort this far, and Vixens captain Bianca Chatfield acknowledged that after the game.
“That was the first time any team has challenged us right till the end,” she said. The Swifts also gave Vixens a timely lesson in fighting until the final whistle, and making certain each pass safely reaches its destination, with the game marked by a see-saw of turnovers.
Incredibly, the intensity never waned throughout the match, but it was the renowned composure of the Vixens line-up that eventually won them the game.
In their first meeting of the season, Swifts started strongly, with midcourters Kim Green and Vanessa Ware rocketing the ball through court to goal attack Susan Pratley who shot them to a 3-0 early lead.
Vixens were caught out making mistakes around their attacking circle, and the Swifts’ new goal keep Jessica Mansell took advantage of the starting jitters to snaffle some clean ball.
Although Swifts managed to hold that scoreline advantage for half of the quarter, Vixens drew level when goal attack Sharelle McMahon began to dictate play on attack. McMahon and goal shoot Caitlin Thwaites were unerring with their shots on goal for most of the quarter, missing only one attempt of 16, to lead 15-14 at the end of the first phase.
A succession of turnovers marked the start of the second quarter, and it took a few minutes before both sides were able to settle into a rhythm again. Three consecutive goals to Swifts allowed them to slip back into a narrow lead, but goal defence Julie Corletto’s ability to call any rebound her own saw Vixens inch ahead once more.
The fluctuating battle for control continued right through the quarter, with Swifts putting a heavy load of defensive pressure led by
Rebecca Bulley on Vixen’s midcourt, but then being guilty of throwing up some crucial ball.
Even with Vixen goal keep Chatfield shadowing her every move, Swifts goal shoot Catherine Cox sharpened her eye in this quarter lifting her contribution to 16 from 19 for the first half. But it was the collaborated shooting efforts of Thwaites and McMahon at the opposite end, finishing the half on 93 percent accuracy, which saw Vixens ahead 28-26 going into the second half.
Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg was drawn to make one positional change at the break, changing centre Natasha Chokljat and Renae Hallinan, who had done a power of work at wing defence.
Swifts goal defence Kim Smith gave McMahon a torrid time, yet McMahon showed her irrefutable skill to keep commanding play – even when she was on the ground – and shooting strongly, giving plenty of confidence to Thwaites.
Swifts goal defence Kim Smith gave McMahon a torrid time, yet McMahon showed her irrefutable skill to keep commanding play – even when she was on the ground – and shooting strongly, giving plenty of confidence to Thwaites.
Vixens patiently built the tempo, finding themselves 42-38 up at three-quarter time, but the never-say-die attitude of Swifts kept them in the picture. At 50-47, Cox went down in a tangle with Chatfield which put a shudder through the Swifts side, but she was back to her feet to score from the ensuing penalty.
With three minutes to go, a turnover converted at the other end brought Swifts within one, and Pratley’s goal off the next centre pass had them level. There was massive pressure on both sides in the dying minutes, with turnover upon turnover, but Cox’s goal in the final seconds took the game into extra time.
Chokljat and Hallinan switched back to their original positions for the start of the 14-minute extension, and Vixens nosed in front, with Chatfield particularly fired up, to lead the first seven minute spell 60-59.
In the end, it was Vixens’ ability to treasure the ball when it was in their possession that sealed victory.
The shooting in the match could hardly be faulted, with all four shooters finishing with percentages in the 80s – Thwaites the biggest contributer with 43 goals from her 51 attempts; Pratley the most consistent with 23 from 26.
Full match stats
With three minutes to go, a turnover converted at the other end brought Swifts within one, and Pratley’s goal off the next centre pass had them level. There was massive pressure on both sides in the dying minutes, with turnover upon turnover, but Cox’s goal in the final seconds took the game into extra time.
Chokljat and Hallinan switched back to their original positions for the start of the 14-minute extension, and Vixens nosed in front, with Chatfield particularly fired up, to lead the first seven minute spell 60-59.
In the end, it was Vixens’ ability to treasure the ball when it was in their possession that sealed victory.
The shooting in the match could hardly be faulted, with all four shooters finishing with percentages in the 80s – Thwaites the biggest contributer with 43 goals from her 51 attempts; Pratley the most consistent with 23 from 26.
Full match stats
