WITH all eight teams playing two games apiece yesterday there were plenty of surprises with big wins and narrow loses. The Melbourne Vixens were the only side to remain undefeated earning a spot in the Team Girls Cup grand final alongside the Collingwood Magpies.

NSW Swifts (29) defeated by Collingwood Magpies (51)

The Collingwood Magpies burst out of the blocks claiming a 22-goal victory against the Swifts who at times struggled to move the ball down the court. The Magpies won three out of a possible four quarters and proved to be a real force to be reckoned with. Experienced goal attack Nat Medhurst made her first appearance in the third quarter for the Pies slotting eight goals from 10 for her efforts. Shimona Nelson starred with 33 from 35 attempts, while speedster Kelsey Browne made her presence felt across the court with 23 feeds and 14 goal assists. After starting in at centre Kim Ravaillion made her way into wing defence and proved to be a solid option for the Magpies. Helen Housby sat out for the Swifts allowing Sam Wallace, Natalie Haythornthwaite and Sophie Garbin to rotate through the goal circle. Defensively Sarah Klau was solid picking up three gains, two deflections and two intercepts but it was not enough to stop the attacking pressure of the Magpies shooters.

GIANTS Netball (40) defeated West Coast Fever (28)

After a 13 goals to five third quarter, the GIANTS well and truly had the game in the bag. Amy Parmenter found her spot in the GIANTS side, working well in the centre and hitting the circle edge hard with 16 assists from 20 feeds. English international Jo Harten starred with 90 percent accuracy while Kim Green was her usual dominant self, credit to her good positioning, clever passes and quick feet. For the Fever the absence of shooting machine Jhaniele Fowler was too great to handle with recruit Alice Teague-Neeld struggling throughout the game, not putting up a single shot. While teammate Kaylia Stanton carried the load, shooting 28 from 35 attempts going at 80 percent.

Vixens Melbourne (30) defeated Adelaide Thunderbirds (24)

The Vixens were given a run for their money by the Thunderbirds who despite struggling last season seemed to have hit their stride coming into the 2019 competition. Melbourne experimented in the goal circle with Ine-Mari Venter in at goal shooter while Caitlin Thwaites found herself at goal attack. Thunderbirds defenders Shamera Sterling and Layla Guscoth were impressive notching up two intercepts and three deflections apiece making life hard for the Vixens. Credit to Adelaide’s defensive pressure, Venter and Sacha McDonald led the way with 14 turnovers collectively, while the absence of experience in the Thunderbirds’ shooting circle did not seem to impact their scoring ability and composure under the ring. Youngster Sasha Glasgow shot the brunt of the goals with 17 out of 22 attempts with wing attack Kelly Altmann delivering the ball nicely into the circle racking up 16 feeds and six goal assists.

Queensland Firebirds (36) defeated by Sunshine Coast Lightning (40)

Reigning premiers, Sunshine Coast Lightning came from behind to defeat the Queensland Firebirds and ultimately set up a showdown with the Melbourne Vixens for a spot in the final. After leading by four goals at quarter time, the Firebirds looked to be in control, before the Lightning struck back with an 11-6 second term to regain the lead by a solitary goal. The third term was even, with both sides scoring nine goals apiece, before the Lightning ran out the game stronger, 12-9 to record the 40-36 victory. Ugandan shooter, Peace Proscovia was accurate with 25 goals from 28 attempts, while Cara Koenen(eight from nine) and Steph Wood (seven from nine) were also impressive. Laura Langman was crucial in the midcourt with three goal assists, nine feeds and four deflections, while the defensive end held strong against a tall Firebirds goal circle. Romelda Aiken finished the match with 19 goals from 25 attempts, while Gretel Tippett was strong with 17 from 20. Mahalia Cassidy was a crucial cog in the side, racking up 11 goal assists and 21 feeds, while Jemma Mi Mi had eight and 15.

West Coast Fever (24) defeated by New South Wales Swifts (29)

In the lowest scoring game of the tournament, New South Wales Swifts recorded their second win, toppling the West Coast Fever to leave last year’s grand finalists without a victory in the tournament. The Swifts overcame an earlier loss to Collingwood, to outscore the Fever in the second and third terms to get the job done. Sophie Garbin did the majority of the damage with 13 goals from 15 attempts, while Sam Wallace (seven from eight) was also accurate under the post. Paige Hadley produced another strong effort in the midcourt with 10 goal assists and 15 feeds, while Sarah Klau and Kate Eddy had a combined five intercepts. For the Fever, Kaylia Stanton knocked down 17 goals from 23 attempts, while Emma Cosh scored six from seven and Alice Teague-Neeld scored her first goal in Fever colours. Teague-Neeld also recorded 10 goal assists and 14 feeds, while Verity Charles had seven and 17 in an impressive effort for the losing side.

GIANTS Netball (46) defeated Collingwood Magpies(37)

After losing their opening game of the tournament, GIANTS Netball strung together two wins, including a nine-goal victory over the previously unbeaten Collingwood Magpies. Both sides were even at the first break, before the GIANTS edged ahead over the next two quarters, to lead by three at the final break. A fast start of six goals to two ultimately broke the game open and handed the GIANTS the win, 46-37. The GIANTS were terrific in restricting some of Collingwood better players in Geva Mentor and Shimona Nelson for large parts of the game, while Kiera Austin was terrific for the GIANTS. The goal attack shot 26 goals from 29 attempts, while Jo Harten posted 20 from 24. Defensive trio, Toni Anderson, Kristiana Manu’a and Sam Poolman had a combined eight intercepts, breaking down Collingwood’s attacking movement while unsettling their defence. Nelson still posted 30 goals from 31 in the loss and was important, but the GIANTS restricted her usual control in the air by forcing the Magpies to enter the goal circle slower, thus allowing the defenders to intercept. Nat Medhurst scored seven goals from nine attempts, while Kelsey Browne had 11 goal assists and 20 feeds in an important combination in the midcourt with sister Madi Robinson (nine goal assists and 12 feeds).

Sunshine Coast Lightning (35) defeated by Melbourne Vixens (42)

A huge first quarter by Melbourne Vixens in the final game of the group phase set them up for a seven-goal victory over reigning premiers, Sunshine Coast Lightning. Both sides headed into the match with two wins and a spot in the final on the line. The Vixens scored 14-4 in the first term, before the Lightning regained the balance of power winning two of the next three quarters. But unfortunately for Sunshine Coast, the slow start had cost them and set up an all-Victorian final. Caitlin Thwaites, Tegan Philip and Ine-Mari Venter all shared the goals around for the Vixens, all shooting at 92.9 per cent accuracy or higher. Liz Watson was imposing at wing attack with 21 goal assists and 28 feeds, while Emily Mannix was a rock in defence with three interceptions. For the Lightning, Peace Proscovia shot at 100 per cent from her 21 attempts, while Cara Koenen finished with 13 goals from 18 attempts. Laura Scherian (11 goal assists and 16 feeds) and Laura Langman (11 and 23) were strong in the midcourt, while Karla Pretorius had three interceptions and five deflections.

Queensland Firebirds (45) defeated Adelaide Thunderbirds (33)

Queensland Firebirds ended the group stage on a high with a comprehensive 12-goal win over Adelaide Thunderbirds. The Firebirds stormed to a 13 goals to five lead early, but were reigned back in the second term to head into the main break with a four-goal lead. Queensland stretched its lead out to six by the final break before running away with it in the last courtesy of a 12-6 quarter. Romelda Aiken scored 25 goals from 32 attempts, while Gretel Tippett finished with 20 from 24. In the midcourt, Jemma Mi Mi had 12 goal assists and 17 feeds, while Mahalia Cassidy impressed with 14 and 20. Tara Hinchcliff and Gabi Simpson were strong in defence with a combined five intercepts. For the Thunderbirds, Sasha Glasgow finished with 23 goals from 28 attempts, while Cody Lange shot 10 from 11. Shamara Sterling was superb in defence with five interceptions and four deflections, while Hannah Petty was strong in the midcourt with 15 goal assists and 19 feeds.