The Melbourne Vixens have recorded a 23-goal win over the Cold Power Magic to get their first win at home this season.
It took both teams several minutes to work into the match, however it was the Vixens who settled first and scored six unanswered goals.
The Magic felt the pressure early, with turnovers and crucial misses seeing them take over seven minutes to score their first goal of the game. Although they regained momentum and scored quickly with four goals in a row to bring the margin back to just two.
Defender Kristina Manu’a was active early for the Magic, with an intercept and deflection in the first quarter. Despite the Magic’s comeback efforts, it would be the Vixens who lead at the first break, 13 – 8.
In their second game without lead shooter Karyn Bailey, the young Vixens shooting duo Alice Teague-Neeld and Emma Ryde started to find their rhythm, and fluency in the attacking end.
The Vixens’ defence of Jo Weston and Geva Mentor thrilled the home crowd and had the Magic attack searching for answers, as the margin increased to 10 goals going into half-time, 25 - 15.
The Magic changed their line-up heading into the second half, including the introduction of Malia Paseka into the shooting circle for Joanne Harten.
A massive third-quarter from the home team saw the lead blow out to 18 goals, with the Vixens shooting line-up well and truly on top of the defence.
Kimberly Commane starred for the Vixens after entering the game just before half time. The move paid dividends with Commane leading the Vixens’ scoring for the match with 13 goals from 15 for the third quarter, and 24 goals for the match.
The Vixens continued to bring the pace and intensity in the final quarter and increased the lead to over 20 goals, 57 – 34, to see the Magic record their lowest ever score against the Melbourne side.
Vixens captain Madison Robinson was named MVP for match, with 19 goal assists and 44 feeds.
The loss sees the Magic still yet to win a game in the 2016 season, and sitting on the bottom of the New Zealand Conference ladder, whilst the Vixens are now just one win away from the top three of the Australian conference.
