Game Detail // ANZ Championship 2008

Round Name: Round 7 Starting Date: 17/5/2008

Team			v	Team		Location	Date/Time
	» Thunderbirds	46	v.	» Vixens	52	ETSA Park, Adelaide	18/05/2008 1:00 PM

	SKY Sport Time:	15:30
	ONE Time:	13:30
	Umpire 1:	Jacqui Jashari
	Umpire 2:	Annie Kloppers (South Africa)
	Reserve Umpire:	Raechel Richards

Game Report:

A dominant final quarter helped the Melbourne Vixens turn the tables on the Adelaide Thunderbirds as they powered away to a 52-46 win in Adelaide today. It reversed the one-goal win by the Thunderbirds in round three.

The Vixens made their move in the second half as the Thunderbirds, who held a slight edge early on, lost their way in the final quarter.

Trailing by three heading into the final 15 minutes, the Thunderbirds strove hard to reel back the deficit. But it proved a mountain too big as the Vixens� sustained pressure forced an increasing error rate.

In command, the visitors, who steadily built through the match to a position of dominance, made the most of the opportunities presented in easing to a comfortable win.

With eight internationals spread across the court, the match-ups and great rivalry between the two teams promised a riveting contest.
It did not disappoint as the fortunes between the two ebbed and flowed, the intensity and pressure evident from start to finish.

It was the Vixens who made most of the early running in the head-to-head clash between some of Australia�s top talent. Exploding out of the blocks, the visitors scored the first five goals of the match before the Thunderbirds replied with five of their own. Back on level terms, the match remained level-pegging through an even first half.

Vixens captain Sharelle McMahon and her opposing goal attack Natalie Medhurst proved influential figures, both marshalling play expertly, popping up in the right place at the right time and proving very accurate under the hoop.

The Thunderbirds built strongly through the first quarter, their renowned defensive prowess putting the heat on the Vixens throughout the court, to cause some wobbly moments.

Greater shooting accuracy and four straight goals helped the Thunderbirds to a 13-11 first quarter advantage.

A strong quarter by Vixens goalkeeper Bianca Chatfield, who stole numerous turnover opportunities kept the dangerous Thunderbirds in check.

With the Thunderbirds threatening to pull away at times with their swift and slick through court play, the Vixens were undeterred, feeding off timely errors by their opposites to leave the game all level at 24-24 at halftime.

Terrific defensive pressure from the Vixens and pinpoint shooting from McMahon and Caitlin Thwaites gave the visitors the edge through the third quarter as they built a handy three goal buffer.

The visitors held their dominance, making better use of their extra possession with patience, poise and accurate finishing to take a 41-38 lead heading down the home straight.