The Melbourne Vixens have jumped to top spot on the Suncorp Super Netball ladder after an eight-goal win over the NSW Swifts in Round 9.
The Vixens led at every break, however did not have it all their own way, with the Swifts defence relentless throughout the match.
The first quarter see-sawed, with the lead changing multiple times between the two teams.
The Swifts were out to an early 3-1 lead, before the Vixens regained power to take a 17-15 lead into the first break.
The Vixens controlled most the second quarter, increasing their lead to as much as five goals, which they maintained at half-time, 35-30.
Mwai Kumwenda was in her usual form, shooting 23 goals at 100% for the first half and demonstrating her athleticism and aerial skills.
It was a scrappy third-quarter for both teams, with multiple turnovers as the pressure intensified.
The Swifts got as close as four goals during the term, however a final flurry from the visitors, and a long-range shot from Kumwenda in the final seconds, saw them with a seven-goal lead at three-quarter-time.
The Vixens made a positional change going into the final quarter, with Jo Weston and Chloe Watson swapping positions – Weston to Wing Defence and Watson to Goal Defence.
The last quarter problems the Vixens faced in their most recent encounter with the Swifts were gone this time, the Vixens winning the last quarter 12-11.
The margin remained constant throughout the final quarter, and a crucial intercept from Emily Mannix late the in the quarter tipped the momentum in the Vixens favour.
Finishing strongly, the Vixens won 62-54.
Kumwenda was named Most Valuable Player after scoring 37 goals from 40 attempts.
The win saw the Vixens claim the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup for the first time since 2014.
It also resulted in the Vixens claiming top spot on the ladder, leading second-placed Sunshine Coast Lightning on percentage.
The Vixens will now turn their sights to their first home game since 25 March, when they take on the Lightning on Saturday night.
