Australia-based Mwawi Kumwenda inspired Melbourne Vixens to reach the 2020 Grand Final yesterday with a 63-47 triumph over Coast Lightning in the semi-finals.
The Malawi top-notch goal-shooter contributed 31 baskets with an impressive 96 percent shooting accuracy while Caitlin Thwaites got 25 baskets from 28 attempts and Tegan Phillip got six.
According to Suncorp Super Netball website, www.supernetball.com.au, the dominant Vixens booked a place in the 2020 Grand Final scheduled for October 18 and will face today’s winners of another semi-final between NSW Swifts and West Coast Fever.
Shooting legends Thwaites and Philip will have fitting farewells after Vixens stormed into the 2020 grand final.
“The minor premiers’ crushing major semi-final victory at the Sunshine Coast’s USC Stadium highlighted the class gap between the Vixens and the rest and ensured a shot at a fairy-tale finish for goalers Thwaites and Philip who will retire after the grand final,” reads the report in part.
Kumwenda took it to social media to celebrate her performance saying: “When you get to play Grand final in two weeks. Very proud of my Melbourne Vixens sisters in today’s game. Feeling blessed to be part of this Family.”
Emily Mannix led a defensive trio who caused havoc for Lightning’s attackers.
The Vixens goalkeeper pocketed eight gains, including four intercepts, and no Lightning combination could pierce the wall of pressure she built in the defensive third.
Said Mannix: “It hasn’t quite sunk in. The Vixens made the grand final in 2014 and I started in 2015.”
The Lightning will live to fight again in next weekend’s preliminary final against the winner of Sunday’s knockout between West Coast Fever and the NSW Swifts.
“The Vixens put a clinic on us,” Lightning goal attack Steph Wood said.
Sunshine Coast’s reputation as a sloppy starter was once again on show.
They fell behind by 14 points at halftime as the Vixens appeared unruffled by the game day withdrawal of defender Kate Eddy with a foot injury.
The Vixens even powered through the temporary absence of co-captain Kate Moloney when she was treated for an ankle problem in the second quarter.
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