The Adelaide Thunderbirds have risen to second on the Super Netball ladder after producing an impressive four-quarter performance to defeat the Melbourne Vixens 61-50 at Netball SA Stadium.
The Thunderbirds tasted defeat for the first time in last week's home loss to the Giants but bounced back in stunning fashion on Saturday to overwhelm last season's grand finalists in a high-quality contest.
Adelaide's improvement from last season's seventh-placed finish was on full display as they frustrated the Vixens with their defensive intensity to produce a whopping 19-9 edge in gains, 15 of those resulting in goals.
Dynamic goal keeper Shamera Sterling anchored the Thunderbirds' defence with aplomb to record game-high totals for gains (eight), deflections (eight), pickups (five) and rebounds (four), while Georgie Horjus (35 feeds, 20 goal assists) expertly orchestrated Adelaide's attack.
"It's so good to be able to beat the Vixens," Sterling said after Adelaide secured the win despite the absence of head coach Tania Obst due to COVID.
"I know anytime we go up against the Vixens, it's always a good match-up and over previous years, they have come out to be the ones to win so I think it's our turn."
Sterling's battle with Melbourne's Mwai Kumwenda provided plenty of highlights, including a spectacular block on the Vixens goaler's two-point shot attempt in the dying seconds of the opening quarter.
"I like Kumwenda's style of play because she loves the argy-bargy and that's what I like, to get into it with her," Sterling said about Melbourne's Malawi international.
Sterling's block on Kumwenda ensured a tight first quarter ended 13-13 but the Thunderbirds made their move in the second period, Adelaide's pressure preventing the Vixens' attack from playing with their usual precision.
The Thunderbirds held Melbourne to under 80 per cent shooting in the first half, while Adelaide duo Eleanor Cardwell and Tippah Dwan combined to shoot at 90 per cent to see the home side take a 29-24 edge into halftime.
The Vixens raised their level at the start of the second half, a 6-3 start forcing the Thunderbirds into taking a tactical timeout, but the home side regrouped and absorbed a two-point barrage from Keira Austin to take a 44-38 lead into the final quarter.
In another display of her unique abilities, Sterling repeated her defensive effort from the first term by blocking a late two-point shot attempt from Austin and denying the visitors any momentum heading into the final period.
The Thunderbirds outscored the Vixens 17-12 in the fourth to close out the result and set up a top-of-the-table clash against defending champions West Coast Fever in Perth next Sunday.
