IN the match of the round in the Suncorp Super Netball, the Melbourne Vixens escaped with a narrow win over the Adelaide Thunderbirds to keep their undefeated record in tact.

It was a close match all night but the Vixens pulled away in the dying stages to take the win.

After a wayward pass from the Vixens’ attackers, Latanya Wilson pounced and Romelda Aiken-George capitalised down the other end and the Thunderbirds broke the very first centre pass of the match. They then converted their own first centre pass to take the early lead.

However they did not keep the lead long as the Vixens scored the next three to get things back on centre pass.

The Vixens did eventually establish a bit of a buffer as the quarter progressed, which got out to as much as five goals, but ended up at three goals in their favour at the first change.

The Thunderbirds got out to a quick start in the second term, scoring the first three goals of the term to equalise the scoreboard.

Melbourne did however eventually kick back into gear and retake the lead, but things remained tight. Adelaide continued to tinker with its on court line up and eventually found some success, registering a six goal turnaround to take a four goal buffer into the final few minutes of the term and really took control of the game.

Just as it looked liked the visitors had a firm grip on the control of the game, Kiera Austin found her range from Super Shot range and helped cut the margin in half.

This saw the scoring momentum move in favour of the home side, and at the major break the lead was two goals in their favour.

The Thunderbirds got off to a quick start again in the third term, quickly levelling up proceedings before the Vixens reasserted control.

However, the Thunderbirds’ defenders lifted to another level and as such ensured the Vixens did not keep their lead for long.

As the third term progressed, no matter what either side tried to do they could not really break away from their opponent.

The Thunderbirds eventually did, but did so off the back of no Super Shots. However that would come back to bite them as Austin and then Sophie Garbin found their aim from Super shot range and eliminated the deficit.

Things were still dead even as the teams turned for home, and it really was all to play for in the final term.

After a largely goal for goal final term, it all came down to the final minutes. Not really going for any Super Shots really came back to bite the Thunderbirds as one last Super shot from Austin gave the Vixens enough of a buffer to hold on for the narrow win.

Zara Walters (30 feeds, 13 assists, one deflection) continued to take her new found improved chances with both hands, as did Rudi Ellis (our gains, four defections, two intercepts).

Meanwhile for the visitors Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (11 gains, seven deflections, six intercepts, two rebounds) again kept her side in the game, while Georgie Horjus (29 feeds, 18 feeds, 16/18 goals) was industrious across midcourt and attack.

In other results:

• The Firebirds are on the board in 2024 after a narrow three goal win over the GIANTS.

Momentum fluctuated throughout the match, but ultimately the Firebirds won the first quarter by more than the GIANTS won the second.

Lara Dunkley (43 feeds, 25 assists) and Remi Kamo (four gains, four deflections, two rebounds) both impressed for the Firebirds, as did Jamie-Lee Price (37 feeds, 21 assists, four deflections, one gain) and Sophie Dwyer (23/29 goals, 19 feeds, 14 assists, four deflections, two intercepts, two gains, one rebound) for the GIANTS.

• The Fever sent the Sunshine Coast Lightning a message, thrashing them by 25 goals.

The Fever were in control all game, with a 17 goal to nine second term and a 24 goal to 14 final term the real telling quarters.

Alice Teague-Neeld (40 feeds, 29 assists, one deflection) continued to accrue plenty of the ball as usual for the Fever, while Shanice Beckford (29 feeds, 24 assists, 8/12 goals, one intercept, one gain) also impressed.

Meanwhile for the Lightning Courtney Bruce (four gains, three deflections, three intercepts, one rebound) shone against her old side.

• The NSW Swifts are also on the board in 2024 after an 11 goal win over the Melbourne Mavericks.

Despite a Mavericks comeback in the second half it was not enough as the Swifts had already done the damage in the first half.

Sarah Klau (six deflections, three gains, two rebounds, one intercept) had another solid game in defence for the Swifts, as did Maddy Proud (28 feeds, 17 assists, two deflections) in mid court.

Meanwhile for the Mavericks Kim Jenner (three gains, two intercepts, two deflections, one rebound) played a solid role in defence, while Maisie Nankivell (32 feeds, 17 assists, one gain, one deflection, one intercept) led the way in mid court.