The NSW Swifts have claimed an impressive 62-48 win over the Melbourne Vixens in Round 10 of Suncorp Super Netball at John Cain Arena.
The victory, the Swifts' seventh from 10 outings so far this year, keeps them top of the competition ladder despite the team having to relocate twice in the past three weeks due to COVID-19 border disruption.
Australian Diamonds defender Sarah Klau was MVP on the day and led from the back as the Swifts disrupted everything their opponents tried to do in attack.
The win was built on massive efforts in the opening three quarters, which the Swifts won 47-25, before the Vixens rallied in the final quarter with six Mwai Kumwenda Super Shots.
However, by that stage the contest was over and the Swifts were taking the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup back from their long-time rivals.
Fantastic work in defence by Klau and Maddy Turner allowed the Swifts get off to a great start with Helen Housby and Sam Wallace quick to get their side out to an early 7-0 lead.
The game was in danger of getting away from the hosts but strong midcourt pressing on a Maddy Proud centre pass and a stray ball ricochet off Paige Hadley gave the Vixens the chance to get up and running.
The first Power Five period was when the Swifts took control of the game. The Vixens looked muddled trying to get to the post while the Swifts, in contrast, were patient and composed.
Housby added a Super Shot to her haul and Wallace continued to make good use of the ball she was getting from Proud and Hadley. At the first break the Swifts led 18-6.
The one-way traffic continued for the first half of the second term with more defensive and attacking pressure seeing the Swifts extend their lead to 20 before the Vixens called a much-needed timeout.
It seemed to have the desired effect with the 2020 Premiers emerging with more purpose. They were still spilling possession but they rallied in defence to ensure the Swifts couldn't capitalise as they had done up to that point.
Heading to the halftime break the Vixens had cut the gap to 16 but it was the Swifts in the driving seat.
The Vixens' resurgence continued at the start of the second half and five minutes into it the gap was down to 13.
Wallace had other ideas however. She rewarded the turnover possession her teammates had won to land the next four goals and put a considerable margin between the sides again.
That mini-run would set the tone for the rest of the third quarter as the six-time Premiers punished the Vixens at each opportunity and heading the to last break they led by an imposing 22 goals.
The masterful shooting of Kumwenda in the final Power Five did allow the Vixens salvage something from the contest but it was too little too late.
Quarter by Quarter Scores
SWIFTS | Q1: 18, Q2: 31 (13), Q3: 47 (16), Q4: 62 (15)
VIXENS | Q1: 6, Q2: 15 (9), Q3: 25 (10), Q4: 48 (23)
Starting Teams
SWIFTS | GS Sam Wallace, GA Helen Housby, WA Paige Hadley, C Maddy Proud, WD Tayla Fraser, GD Maddy Turner, GK Sarah Klau
Reserves used: Sophie Garbin, Natalie Haythornthwaite, Lauren Moore
VIXENS | GS Mwai Kumwenda, GA Kaylia Stanton, WA Hannah Mundy, C Kate Moloney, WD Kate Eddy, GD Jo Weston, GK Kadie-Ann Dehaney
Reserves used: Ruby Barkmeyer, Emily Mannix, Allie Smith
Match Stats: View HERE
