20 Apr 2010

Vixens stay unbeaten

6:18 am on 20 April 2010

The Melbourne Vixens were pushed and pressured but eventually beat the Northern Mystics to maintain their unbeaten trans-Tasman netball championship record in Melbourne last night.

The defending champion Vixens had to survive a second quarter blitz from the Mystics who closed to within 2 points at half time before the homeside won 62-51.

The New Zealanders took control of the mid-court through skipper Temepara George, Larissa Willcox and goal defence Joline Henry and pressured the Vixens into uncharacteristic turnovers..... they trailed by just 4 heading into the final quarter before the Vixens drew away.

It was Melbourne's fifth ANZ Championship win in five matches this season, and their 10th successive victory following on from their 2009 march to the grand final.

The Mystics now have a 2-3 win-loss record, but will relish five successive New Zealand-based matches starting this week to build their assault on a finals berth.

In last night's other match the Queensland Firebirds beat the Southern Steel 56-41 in Invercargil to go 5th on the table, while the Steel are 7th with 2 wins and 3 losses.