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Netball - 22. May 2017.

Vixens take top spot leading into final round

THE GAP BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL WAS LAID BARE AS THE MELBOURNE VIXENS DEMOLISHED LAST-PLACED ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS 71-50 AT MARGARET COURT ARENA

Adelaide started confidently but was blown off the court by the Vixens who were elevated into first place on the ladder with just one round left in the regular season.

Quiet achiever Emily Mannix toyed with her opponents to set up one of the biggest wins of the season.

It was not quite the 75 goals the Vixens piled on in their previous encounter in Round 8 but the performance was one that suggests the Melbourne side are about to hit top speed on the eve of the finals.

Defender Mannix produced seven intercepts and seven deflections to create a mountain of possession for the Vixens’ brilliant and ruthless midcourt.

Liz Watson was held early by Thunderbirds star Renae Ingles but broke free to combine with her Vixens captain Kate Moloney to crush the visitors.

Vixens shooter Mwai Kumwenda had a season-best 48 goals from 53 shots while Adelaide’s Erin Bell worked feverishly for her 26 goals at 90 per cent.

For at least 15 minutes the Thunderbirds gave an admirable impression of a top four team.

They chased, hassled, hustled and used space with purpose.

At their best, Ingles flew through the middle to create quick ball for the Thunderbirds attackers, and the workrate from feeders Jade Clarke and Chelsea Pitman was first rate.

Captain Bell had a game to remember, shooting 18-from-19 to start the afternoon.

But it wasn’t to last.

The drive and fluency that was so evident at start of the game fell away during the second term and the Vixens pounced.

Penalties and turnovers turned the weight of possession in favour of the Vixens who pushed the lead out to 10 during the quarter and went to halftime with a five-goal advantage.

At least part of the problem for Adelaide was the dominance of Vixens defender  Mannix.

Mannix forced multiple shooting changes, with Sasha Glasgow and Karyn Bailey interchanging without any success.

While Bell was having a vintage shooting performance, her circle partners had to survive on starvation rations.

The Vixens led by 12 goals at the final change and Adelaide coach Dan Ryan had one last card to play.

He moved Ingles into the centre bib but that only left Watson free to carve up the Thunderbirds during the last quarter.

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