After a tough first round loss, the Melbourne Vixens are glad to be back on the winners list after defeating the Adelaide Thunderbirds 59-44 in Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.
After an even start to the match, the Vixens took a healthy 14 point lead into halftime thanks largely to captain Madi Robinson who was back to her exciting best after a knee injury blighted her 2015 season.
The Thunderbirds mounted a spirited challenge half way through the third quarter, when the Vixen’s 17-goal lead was cut to just nine at three-quarter time.
But the Vixen’s steadied the ship in the final term to run out 15 goal victors and record their first win of the season.
Second year goal attack, Alice Teague-Neeld was impressive, shooting 21 goals from 23 attempts at 91 per cent accuracy to contribute to the win.
With a big clash looming against the Queensland Firebird next round, coach Simone McKinnis says her players will need to step up in intensity again if they are to match it with last year’s champions.
“You can acknowledge and be happy for a win, but it’s a big game next week,’’ McKinnis said. “The Firebirds are obviously titleholders and we have to find another gear again. When you look at that third quarter, any sort of lapse like that and the game’s over, that’s the bottom line.”
