Vixens too strong for Fever

Tuesday, 10 April 2012
 

Round 2, 2012

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
West Coast Fever West Coast Fever 11 20 33 41 41
Melbourne Vixens Melbourne Vixens 17 34 43 50 50


A clinical first half blitz propelled Melbourne Vixens to a comfortable 50-41 win over West Coast Fever in Perth today.

The experienced Vixens stunned a shell-shocked Fever with a blazing first half to notch their second straight win while consigning the home team to their first loss.

Fever capitulated in the face of Vixens' early onslaught before righting the ship with a more competitive second half, which they went on to win. But the first half proved their undoing, from where the young home team were always going to struggle to peg back a 14-goal deficit.

Vixens showed their intent from the outset, blasting out of the blocks with imperious authority. Like a well-oiled machine, Vixens dominated all facets through the first half as Fever struggled under the constant pressure.

Swift and accurate with their transition through court, Vixens were all class on attack, centre Chelsey Tregear finding an easy path to the top of the circle while shooter Tegan Caldwell was constantly in the thick of the action. The goal attack showed slick movement around the court while also producing a fine shooting display.

With wing attack Verity Simmons and wing defence Chanel Gomes making their first starts for Fever, the home team struggled in most areas as Vixens flew out to a 17-11 first quarter advantage.

There was little change on the resumption as Vixens continued to stamp their authority on a ragged looking home team. Fever were guilty of too many ill-directed passes as they continued to turn the ball over.

Vixens' defensive trio of Geva Mentor, Bianca Chatfield and Julie Corletto kept Fever's shooters well in check, Mentor picking up much of the ill-directed ball intended for Caitlin Bassett. A reshuffle in Fever's defence line did little for the home teams cause as Vixens marched out to a 34-20 lead at the main break.

With Shae Bolton replacing Simmons and coach Norma Plummer's spirited words of advice ringing in their ears, Fever came into the second half with more of a spring in their step.

Showing more precision off the centre pass and a lift in defensive pressure, where England import Eboni Beckford-Chambers impressed, ensured the home team were more competitive in the second half. Still battling the odds, Fever fought back strongly, stringing more phases together on attack to give shooters Catherine Cox and Bassett a more regular supply of ball.

Fever gallantly chipped away at the deficit, halting the Vixens from blowing out further as they went on to win the quarter 13-9. But with the damage already done, the team from Melbourne were still well placed with a 43-33 lead at three-quarter time.

Remaining competitive during the run to the line, Fever did not help their chances by failing to capitalise on numerous turnovers that came their way. Neither team made the most of their chances during this quarter but the calibre of Vixens' line-up meant they were never going to be seriously threatened.

Match Statistics

West Coast Fever
Melbourne Vixens
Goals / Attempts41 / 57 (71.9 %)50 / 63 (79.4 %)
Offensive Rebounds12
Intercepts1011
Deflections 1819
Contact Penalties 4436
Obstruction Penalties 79
Turnovers 2418
Bad Hands 94
Bad Passes 66

West Coast Fever

PositionPlayerGls/AttARCPRIDPT
GACatherine Cox13/2370150203
-Nikala Smith2/40010100
-Shae Bolton0/030100173
CAshleigh Brazill0/010002275
-Andrea Gilmore0/00021281
-Josie Janz0/00112160
GDEboni Beckford-Chambers0/00324782
GKSusan Fuhrmann0/00100150
-Sarah East0/00000000
WDChanel Gomes0/00011062
WAVerity Simmons0/050100002
GSCaitlin Bassett26/300100146

Melbourne Vixens

PositionPlayerGls/AttARCPRIDPT
-Kelsey Browne10/120000222
GATegan Caldwell26/331181325
-Sarah Wall0/00010010
WAMadison Browne0/0300190122
WDJulie Corletto0/00021161
GDBianca Chatfield0/001101190
GKGeva Mentor0/0040710132
GSKate Beveridge14/183100125
-Karyn Howarth0/00000000
-Kara Richards0/00000000
CChelsey Tregear0/05041081
-Micaela Wilson0/00000000