Second Half Fight-back not Enough for Fever
A strong second half fight-back was not enough for the Fever to overcome a spirited Vixens outfit last Sunday as the hosts went down 41-50 at Challenge Stadium.
The experienced Vixens stunned a shell-shocked Fever with a blazing first half to notch their second straight win while consigning the home team to their first loss.
Fever capitulated in the face of Vixens’ early onslaught before righting the ship with a more competitive second half, which they went on to win. But the first half proved their undoing, from where the young home team were always going to struggle to peg back a 14-goal deficit.
Vixens showed their intent from the outset, blasting out of the blocks with imperious authority. Like a well-oiled machine, Vixens dominated all facets through the first half as Fever struggled under the constant pressure.
Swift and accurate with their transition through court, Vixens were all class on attack, centre Chelsey Tregear finding an easy path to the top of the circle while shooter Tegan Caldwell was constantly in the thick of the action. The goal attack showed slick movement around the court while also producing a fine shooting display.
With wing attack Verity Simmons and wing defence Chanel Gomes making their first starts for Fever, the home team struggled in most areas as Vixens flew out to a 17-11 first quarter advantage.
There was little change on the resumption as Vixens continued to stamp their authority on a ragged looking home team. Fever was guilty of too many ill-directed passes as they continued to turn the ball over.
Vixens’ defensive trio of Geva Mentor, Bianca Chatfield and Julie Corletto kept Fever’s shooters well in check, Mentor picking up much of the ill-directed ball intended for WAIS product Caitlin Bassett. A reshuffle in Fever’s defence line did little for the home teams cause as Vixens marched out to a 34-20 lead at the main break.
With WAIS athlete Shae Bolton replacing Simmons and coach Norma Plummer’s spirited words of advice ringing in their ears, Fever came into the second half with more of a spring in their step.
Showing more precision off the centre pass and a lift in defensive pressure, where England import Eboni Beckford-Chambers impressed, ensured the home team were more competitive in the second half. Still battling the odds, Fever fought back strongly, stringing more phases together on attack to give shooters Catherine Cox and Bassett a more regular supply of ball.
Fever gallantly chipped away at the deficit, halting the Vixens from blowing out further as they went on to win the quarter 13-9. But with the damage already done, the team from Melbourne were still well placed with a 43-33 lead at three-quarter time.
Remaining competitive during the run to the line, Fever did not help their chances by failing to capitalise on numerous turnovers that came their way. Neither team made the most of their chances during this quarter but the calibre of Vixens’ line-up meant they were never going to be seriously threatened.
Of the WAIS scholarship holders, Caitlin Bassett scored a joint game high 26 goals, whilst Shae Bolton, Andrea Gilmore, Josie Janz and Susan Fuhrmann all played court time.