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An experienced Melbourne Vixens side has heavily beaten the young Easiyo Tactix, claiming victory 60-40 at Hisense Arena in Melbourne tonight.
The Melbourne Vixens and Easiyo Tactix on court at Hisense Arena tonight. Image: Maddi Vantarakis
A dominant performance from the Melbourne Vixens has seen them take out victory over the Easiyo Tactix 60-40 at Hisense Arena in Melbourne tonight.
The Vixens entered the match coming off two wins in their past matches, whilst their opposition were looking to claim a win following two losses.
Former Australian Diamond Sharelle McMahon did not play, the club opting to rest the goaler as precaution due to a troublesome Achilles tendon.
English teammates Tactix goaler Jo Harten and Vixens defender Geva Mentor found themselves as one of the highlight matchups- the English international duo going head-to-head on court.
During the week the home side focused upon intensity during training, and that’s exactly what tonight’s match delivered- both sides providing an intense competitive atmosphere.
The first quarter saw both sides attack the ball with ferocity and as a result errors were a feature during the beginning period of the match.
The Tactix gained the early lead, however the score continued to swing in both directions- the quarter-time score going to the home side by one solidary goal.
The Vixens came out of the blocks following the break, their defensive end working double time in order to increase their lead to 15 at the half time break.
The second term saw the Vixens produce a 19-goal quarter, more than doubling their previous score at the first break.
The third quarter saw the Tactix move the talent of Jade Clarke into centre, whilst opting for Kirsten Hurley at wing defence and Louise Thayer at goal defence.
The Vixens made no changes to the line-up that dominated in the previous quarter, the experience of the Vixens proved to be too much for the young Tactix side.
The second half saw the home team further stamp their presence in the game, forcing turnovers and applying consistent pressure in order to further their lead.
Not even an injury time substitution by the Tactix, bringing on Julianna Naoupu at goal attack, could stem the flow of Vixens goals- the three quarter time score 48-27.
Changes for the final quarter saw the home side bring on fresh legs with Kate Moloney at centre and Amy Steel at wing defence, with the Tactix opting for Joanna Trip at goal defence, moving Thayer to goal keeper.
The final term saw the away side draw the score back marginally, however the damage was done, the Vixens taking out the match 60-40.
Melbourne Vixens head coach Simone McKinnis said that she was pleased with her side’s win.
“I’m happy with a 20 goal win, I’m happy with a win full-stop,” she said.
However she said that her side still has plenty to work on, leading into the bye.
“It was just moments throughout the game where it was a bit messy and scrappy, but they had to work for it and work for it right from the start,” she said.
“There’s lots to work on…we’ll sit down after tonight and identify the key areas that we will focus on in the next couple of weeks.”
The Melbourne Vixens now sit top of the ANZ Championship table with the added four points and their boosted percentage.
The Tactix will look to atone against the Northern Mystics at home next week, with the Vixens having the bye.
Starting Line-ups:
Vixens: GS Karyn Howarth, GA Tegan Caldwell, WA Madison Browne, C Elissa Macleod, WD Johanna Curran, GD Bianca Chatfield, GK Geva Mentor
Substitutes: Shannon Eagland, Erin Hoare, Ashlee Howard, Kate Moloney, Amy Steel
Tactix: GS Jo Harten, GA Sophia Fenwick, WA Anna Thompson, C Keshia Grant, WD Jade Clarke, GD Bessie Manu, GK Zoe Walker
Substitutes: Kirsten Hurley, Julianna Naoupu, Louise Thayer, Joanna Trip
Quarter-by-Quarter Scores
Q1: Vixens 13 (Howarth 10, Caldwell 3)- Tactix 12 (Harten 4, Fenwick 8)
Q2: Vixens 32 (Howarth 11, Caldwell 8)- Tactix 17 (Harten 3, Fenwick 2)
Q3: Vixens 48 (Howarth 10, Caldwell 6)- Tactix 27 (Harten 6, Fenwick 2, Naoupu 2)
Q4: Vixens 60 (Howarth 9, Caldwell 2, Hoare 1)- Tactix 40 (Harten 6, Naoupu 7)
Crowd: 4,405
Maddi Vantarakis 