Vixens maintain undefeated status

The Vixens have kept their perfect record intact on Day 2 of the ANZ Championship Summer Shootout, holding off a spirit Queensland Firebirds outfit to win 26-23.

In a replay of last year's ANZ Championship Grand Final match-up, both sides found ball movement difficult with just six goals scored up to the middle part of the first half.

Yet it was the Vixens who were able to break the game open, with the defensive cohort of Geva Mentor, Jo Weston and Chloe Watson managing to nullify dangerous Firebirds goaler Romelda Aiken by cutting her supply and forcing turnovers on shallow entries.

Leading by as much as eight goals at half time, the Firebirds rallied through the tall combination of Grettel Tippet and Aiken to put the young defense – Emily Mannix replacing Mentor at the half – under pressure.

However, another composed performance from Kate Moloney at centre court and an impressive outing from young goaler Alice Teague-Neeld guided the Vixens to safety in the dying minutes.

Melbourne join the West Coast Fever as the only other team in the competition to be undefeated to date.

The Vixens will play in the final showcase match of the ANZ Championship Summer Shootout against the NSW Swifts tomorrow afternoon.