Stylish Vixens 58, beat disappointing Magic, 43
The Melbourne Vixens will host the ANZ Championship grand final after completing a clinical 58-43 win over Colourplus Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in the major Semi-Final today.
On home ground, the in-form Vixens showed no mercy to the Magic, who were forced into the match without injury-stricken wing attack Frances Solia and the pregnant Leana de Bruin.
The little-played Jess Tuki struggled in the pivot’s role against the well-drilled Vixens, who, on the day could do little wrong.
It was a complete team performance from the home team, who can now enjoy a week off before the final, while the out-of-form Magic have a week to turn things around.
Courtesy of their two lives, the Magic will play the winner of tomorrow’s Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel to find who will square off against the Vixens.
Early turnovers gave the Magic the best of starts but that was short-lived and the only time in the match they enjoyed any advantage. Taking time to settle, it did not take long for the Vixens hit their straps and from there it was virtually one-way traffic.
Co-captain Sharelle McMahon was an influential figure, her understanding with centre Natasha Chokljat creating momentum on attack and plenty of openings in the circle.
Effective one-on-one defence from the home team put the squeeze on the Magic attackers who were under constant pressure to break the shackles. A heavy penalty count against the visitors, the Vixens speed and efficiency through court and ability to turn the ball over provided plenty of extra opportunities.
The flawless shooting of Caitlin Thwaites and the irrepressible McMahon propelled the Vixens out to a handy 16-10 advantage at the first break.
There was a definite lift in intensity from the Magic on the resumption where greater accuracy and flow helped Irene van Dyk play a more dominant role under the hoop. At the other end of the court, the visitor’s defensive efforts also proved more effective with Jodi Tod and Casey Williams making their presence felt with some timely turnover ball.
Several strong surges helped the Magic bridge the gap but the Vixens were able to rally on cue, their precision timing, ability to sustain constant pressure and the accuracy of Thwaites and McMahon ensured the home team dictated terms.
The second quarter proved evenly contested and ended at 14 goals apiece allowing the Vixens to maintain their six-goal advantage with Thwaites and McMahon missing just the one shot between them in the first half for a 30-24 lead.
It was all one-way traffic as the Vixens continued to pile on the pressure in the third quarter as the Magic were entrenched in catch-up mode. Down by 11 goals and in a desperate situation, the Magic were forced to make wholesale changes in a last-ditch bid to salvage some credibility.
The introduction of Nicola Pettit and Halana Leith from the bench and the re-positioning of Williams, Laura Langman and Joline Henry did nothing to deter the Vixens.
The Magic had no answers to the suffocating defence of Bianca Chatfield and Julie Corletto while the rest of the Vixens team, marshalled by the inspiring play of McMahon, continued to outplay the visitors across the court.
The Magic were restricted to just seven goals as the Vixens steamrolled into the last break with an untouchable 44-31 lead.
There was no let-up from the Vixens in the run home as the Magic’s woes showed no signs of abating. The home team put on an exhilarating performance which showed few chinks while the Magic were left to seriously question their second heavy defeat in an as many weeks.
On home ground, the in-form Vixens showed no mercy to the Magic, who were forced into the match without injury-stricken wing attack Frances Solia and the pregnant Leana de Bruin.
The little-played Jess Tuki struggled in the pivot’s role against the well-drilled Vixens, who, on the day could do little wrong.
It was a complete team performance from the home team, who can now enjoy a week off before the final, while the out-of-form Magic have a week to turn things around.
Courtesy of their two lives, the Magic will play the winner of tomorrow’s Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel to find who will square off against the Vixens.
Early turnovers gave the Magic the best of starts but that was short-lived and the only time in the match they enjoyed any advantage. Taking time to settle, it did not take long for the Vixens hit their straps and from there it was virtually one-way traffic.
Co-captain Sharelle McMahon was an influential figure, her understanding with centre Natasha Chokljat creating momentum on attack and plenty of openings in the circle.
Effective one-on-one defence from the home team put the squeeze on the Magic attackers who were under constant pressure to break the shackles. A heavy penalty count against the visitors, the Vixens speed and efficiency through court and ability to turn the ball over provided plenty of extra opportunities.
The flawless shooting of Caitlin Thwaites and the irrepressible McMahon propelled the Vixens out to a handy 16-10 advantage at the first break.
There was a definite lift in intensity from the Magic on the resumption where greater accuracy and flow helped Irene van Dyk play a more dominant role under the hoop. At the other end of the court, the visitor’s defensive efforts also proved more effective with Jodi Tod and Casey Williams making their presence felt with some timely turnover ball.
Several strong surges helped the Magic bridge the gap but the Vixens were able to rally on cue, their precision timing, ability to sustain constant pressure and the accuracy of Thwaites and McMahon ensured the home team dictated terms.
The second quarter proved evenly contested and ended at 14 goals apiece allowing the Vixens to maintain their six-goal advantage with Thwaites and McMahon missing just the one shot between them in the first half for a 30-24 lead.
It was all one-way traffic as the Vixens continued to pile on the pressure in the third quarter as the Magic were entrenched in catch-up mode. Down by 11 goals and in a desperate situation, the Magic were forced to make wholesale changes in a last-ditch bid to salvage some credibility.
The introduction of Nicola Pettit and Halana Leith from the bench and the re-positioning of Williams, Laura Langman and Joline Henry did nothing to deter the Vixens.
The Magic had no answers to the suffocating defence of Bianca Chatfield and Julie Corletto while the rest of the Vixens team, marshalled by the inspiring play of McMahon, continued to outplay the visitors across the court.
The Magic were restricted to just seven goals as the Vixens steamrolled into the last break with an untouchable 44-31 lead.
There was no let-up from the Vixens in the run home as the Magic’s woes showed no signs of abating. The home team put on an exhilarating performance which showed few chinks while the Magic were left to seriously question their second heavy defeat in an as many weeks.
NOTE: The Melbourne Vixens will host the 2009 ANZ Championshio Grand Final on the weekend of 25-27 July. Event and ticket details will be released shortly.
