Result: Adelaide Thunderbirds (47) def Melbourne Vixens (45)

Media Release
Sunday 22 March 2015

Official Result & Statistics

Official Result: Adelaide Thunderbirds (47) def Melbourne Vixens (45)

Overcoming a late fight-back, the Adelaide Thunderbirds delivered an upset 47-45 win over the previously unbeaten Melbourne Vixens in Adelaide on Sunday.

Celebrating her 100th match, Thunderbirds captain Renae Hallinan was at the heart of the home team’s first win of the season which pitted the bottom team against the top team in the Australian Conference.

With just a draw to show from their first three outings, the desperate Thunderbirds built their winning platform on a rock solid defensive effort. Struggling initially at the shooting end, the Thunderbirds stuck steadfastly to their task in the Harmony Round of matches which celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity.

Thunderbirds shooters Carla Borrego and Erin Bell slowly came into their own to deliver on a rich supply of possession while holding their nerve late in the piece as the late charging Vixens drew within one in the closing minutes.

For the Thunderbirds, Leigh Waddington got the start at centre ahead of Madeleine Proud while Amy Steel was preferred at goal defence to Kate Shimmin against her old team. There were no changes from recent weeks in a settled Vixens line-up.

It was business as usual in the opening exchanges for the visitors, shooters Karyn Bailey and Tegan Philip converting everything that came their way while at the other end, crack defensive duo Bianca Chatfield and Geva Mentor were at their menacing best.

Forced to shoot from wide out, the Thunderbirds were under the pump early with their low conversion rate despite a wealth of possession. However, building on a terrific defensive effort where Hallinan and Amy Steel were prominent, the home team forced their way back into the contest, five unanswered goals pushing the Thunderbirds into a slim 11-10 lead at the first break.

The home team made the best of starts on the resumption with goal attack Bell finding her accuracy under the hoop. With Bell and Borrego starting to fire, the consistent defensive pressure from the Thunderbirds also paid dividends.

Forcing the Vixens into numerous turnovers, the Thunderbirds built in confidence as they made all the running in a dominating second stanza. Not always accurate, Borrego was forceful on the rebound while Waddington and Hallinan were effective in shutting down the contribution of dangerous Vixen midcourter Madi Robinson.

Still enjoying a greater share of the possession, the Thunderbirds made full use in building a slight buffer when leading 25-22 at the main break.

Proud took over from Wadding for the home team in the second half while the Vixens, looking for a change in chemistry, injected Carla Dziwoki into the shooting circle in place of Bailey.

Playing with a greater intensity and decisive midcourt pressure coming from the home team, the Vixens still found themselves off the pace. Trying hard to bridge the gap, they gave away too many penalties, the Thunderbirds growing in confidence the longer the match progressed.

Quick ball release, the growing involvement of Borrego and the ever-present defensive pressure helped the Thunderbirds nudge out to a 36-32 lead at the last break.

Hoping to redress the situation, the Vixens switched their midcourt pairing of Robinson and Watson and reintroduced Bailey for the run home. There was also the rare sight of captain Chatfield going to the bench midway through the quarter.

Thunderbirds shooting statistics:
Carla Borrego 24/32 (75%)
Erin Bell 23/30 (77%)

Vixens shooting statistics:
Karyn Bailey 23/26 (88%)
Tegan Philip 18/21 (86%)
Carla Dziwoki 4/5 (80%)

Chemist Warehouse MVP: Amy Steel (Thunderbirds)

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