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The Melbourne Vixens have retained their undefeated status during the 2013 Summer Challenge, claiming victory over the West Coast Fever 41-33 at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne today.
Tegan Caldwell passes during the Melbourne Vixens match against the West Coast Fever
Image: Matt Johnson
The Melbourne Vixens will go into their final round of the 2013 Summer Challenge undefeated as they won against the West Coast Fever 41-33 at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne today.
Returning Vixens goaler and former Australian Diamond Sharelle McMahon was rewarded with a starting position, following her excellent performance during last night’s match against the Thunderbirds.
Many turnovers from both sides were reoccurring features throughout the first quarter and as a result the score line remained very tight; the first quarter going the Vixens’ way 11-8.
The second quarter saw the Fever make three changes, bringing in defender Chanel Gomes at goal defence, young gun Verity Simmons at wing attack and goaler Kate Beveridge at goal attack.
The Vixens made one lone change, swapping Shannon Eagland for Kate Moloney at wing defence, in an effort to keep the momentum in their favour.
Physicality was a key theme again throughout the second period, with both defensive ends performing well while continually applying pressure.
Vixens goaling duo, McMahon and Tegan Caldwell worked well together, increasing their side’s lead by another four goals at half time.
The Fever brought Cath Cox to goal shooter during the third quarter- also injecting Courtney Bruce in defence, and making a change at goal attack with Lisa Millman on for Beveridge.
Melbourne made two changes, opting for Amy Steel in at goal defence and Karyn Howarth to relieve Sharelle McMahon at goal shooter- most likely due to McMahon’s match fitness capabilities.
The Vixens continued to work cohesively- a fantastic intercept from Tegan Caldwell igniting the side within the last seconds of the quarter in order to take the lead 31-23 at three quarter time.
West Coast played the last quarter with two talls in goal, placing Beveridge back into goal attack in order to try an minimize the deficit, whilst Vixens defender Johanna Curran was also given court time during the final period at wing defence.
Vixens goal attack Tegan Caldwell starred throughout the duration of the match; a final quarter intercept and goal off a Fever defensive throw-in the highlight of her performance.
It was not to be for the Fever, as at the final whistle the Vixens came up with the victory by eight goals- the final score 41-33.
The Vixens will play their last match of the tournament against the LG Mystics at 1.30pm AEDST, and will look to finish undefeated in front of a home crowd.
The Fever will look to finish their final match on a high note against the Southern Steel also at 1.30pm AEDST.
Line-Ups:
Vixens: GS Sharelle McMahon, GA Tegan Caldwell, WA Madison Browne, C Elissa McLeod, WD Kate Moloney, GD Bianca Chatfield, GK Geva Mentor
Substitutes: Johanna Curran, Shannon Eagland, Karyn Howarth, Erin Hoare
Fever: GS Caitlin Bassett, GA Cath Cox, WA Shae Bolton, C Ashleigh Brazill, WD Andrea Gilmore, GD Josie Janz, GK Eboni Beckford-Chambers
Substitutes: Verity Simmons, Kate Beveridge, Courtney Bruce, Lisa Millman, Chanel Gomes
Maddi Vantarakis 