ANZ Netball Championships :Vixens (64) defeated Mojo Pulse (40)   1 Mar 2015

Media Release
Sunday 1 March 2015

Official Result & Statistics

Official Result: Melbourne Vixens (64) defeated Mojo Pulse (40)

The Melbourne Vixens made a seamless start to their 2015 campaign with a clinical 64-40 dismantling of the Mojo Pulse in Melbourne on Sunday.

With the intention of becoming the first team to win back-to-back titles, the defending champions made the perfect start to rock the experienced Pulse side with a commanding outing.

Strongly touted ahead of the season, the Pulse faltered again on Australian soil, adding to their miserable record of never having registered a win on the other side of the Tasman while also failing to break their duck of never winning a first round match in the competition.

History also repeated for the Vixens - the home team keeping their unbeaten first-round wining record intact in an irresistible showing.

With the luxury of retaining their starting seven from last year’s premiership-winning efforts, the Vixens could do little wrong.

Perhaps lulled into a false sense of security after winning two recent pre-season games against the same opposition, the Pulse were left wanting in the one that really counted and consistently punished for their lack of accuracy.

There couldn’t have been more contrasting starts with the Vixens flexing their considerable muscle against a Silver Ferns-laden Pulse to complete a comprehensive opening quarter.

The home team set up the match with a withering opening stanza, free-flowing on attack and defensively staunch as they stamped their authority from the outset against a shell-shocked Pulse.

Adding the Australian flavour of Ameliaranne Wells at goal attack ahead of veteran Irene van Dyk did not pay off for the Pulse. Wells struggled against the smothering attention of crack defensive pairing Bianca Chatfield and Geva Mentor while also lacking accuracy on the shot.

The speed and accuracy of the Vixens on attack with Madi Robinson and Liz Watson providing a flood of quality ball to shooters Tegan Philip (nee Caldwell) and Karyn Bailey led to an overwhelming dominance.

The Pulse lacked structure on attack, compounded by unforced errors as their opponents swept to a 14-6 lead at the first break.

Van Dyk was on for Wells on the resumption with Jodi Brown moving to goal attack and while competing on more level terms, the Pulse could find few chinks in the well-rounded Vixens armoury.

Kate Moloney, Chatfield and Mentor continued to apply the blow torch on the Pulse’s attacking third efforts while at the other end, the athletic ability and shooting prowess of Philip ensured the Vixens hit the main break well in control at 27-16.

England import Ama Agbeze replaced Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit at goalkeeper for the Pulse in the second half but nothing came easy for the visitors. The Brown/van Dyk combination made better use of the ball that made it into the circle but it was often a struggle getting it there with solutions not forthcoming.

There were few such problems at the other end, the constant pressure enabling the Vixens to put their foot down in a concerted late third quarter push.

Robinson revelled in the space she was afforded, popping up all over the court with her vision and ability to execute to perfection as the Vixens sauntered to a 43-27 advantage at the last break.

Vixens shooting statistics:
Tegan Philip 35/41 (85%)
Karyn Bailey 29/35 (83%)

Pulse shooting statistics:
Jodi Brown 24/29 (83%)
Irene van Dyk 13/14 (93%)
Ameliaranne Wells 3/7 (43%)

Chemist Warehouse Match MVP: Tegan Philip (Vixens)

END

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