Game Detail // ANZ Championship 2008

Round Name: Round 10 Starting Date: 7/6/2008

Team			v	Team		Location	Date/Time
	» Steel	47	v.	» Vixens	46	Stadium Southland, Invercargill	07/06/2008 2:30 PM

	SKY Sport Time:	14:30

Game Report:

A gritty Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel stunned the Melbourne Vixens 47-46 in the ANZ Championship match in Invercargill today.

It was the first win over an Australian team for the seventh-placed Steel and Stadium Southland proved a graveyard venue, once again, for a visiting team. Rookie shooter Julianna Naoupu played a pivotal role for the Steel in the thriller after taking the place of an injured Megan Dehn. Naoupu, 18, who has had limited court time this campaign, played with the composure of a seasoned veteran as she lotted the winning goal with five seconds left on the clock.

Looking the better team throughout the first half, the Vixens fought back from a five-goal last quarter deficit as the teams went toe-to-toe for the final 10 minutes. In easily their best outing of the season, the Steel hung tough, gaining in confidence the longer the match went.

The visitors threatened to take off several times during the match but the Steel refused to be shaken, battling back from positions of adversity to stay in touch through the first half. After level-pegging through the opening minutes, the classy Vixens turned up the heat with a strong showing in all facets. Swift and accurate through court, the Vixens were well marshaled on attack by the fleet-footed Sharelle McMahon who formed a potent combination under the hoop with Caitlin Thwaites.

The Steel found their structure and rhythm with a well-timed run to the first quarter break. After 18 attempts each, the better accuracy from the Vixens edged the visitors to a narrow 15-13 first quarter lead. A big push by the Vixens on the resumption paid dividends as the visitors rattled in a string of unanswered goals. Throttling team defence ensured a posse of intercept ball while the speed of McMahon and the ever-present Natasha Chokljat provided a steady stream of possession.

The Vixens contested every phase intently as they steadily built into a position of control. At times it was a massive battle for the Steel to thread the ball through court but patience and perseverance paid off. Another late quarter charge, led by the veteran Jenny-May Coffin revitalised the Steel as they stormed back into contention. A heavy penalty count against the visitors and some fine shooting from the teenaged Naoupu gave the Steel some much needed momentum.

The Vixens lost a little of their composure as the Steel, buoyed by their home fans, leveled the game on the stroke of halftime. A last-minute goal by Thwaites put the Vixens 33-32 ahead at the break. In a repeat of the opening stages of the previous quarters, the Vixens made a telling start to the third stanza as they waltzed out to a handy lead. The introduction of Wendy Telfer at centre gave the Steel more height through the midcourt as the southerners once again clawed their way back into contention with wing defence Erika Burgess playing a prominent role. The visitors continued to battle the umpires as their shooting percentages dropped away while the Steel enjoyed more possession and a greater accuracy rate the longer the match went.

Retaining possession and playing a steady, controlled brand of netball, the Steel finally hit the lead for the first time late in the quarter. With more of the ball the home team headed down the home straight of an enthralling encounter 36-34 ahead. The Steel taking out the final quarter and the win.