Malawi netball export to Australia Mwawi Kumwenda’s Melbourne Vixens on Saturday suffered their first Suncorp Super Netball League loss when they went down 59-55 to Queensland Firebirds at Hisense Arena.
Following the loss, Vixens, who won their first two games, have slipped to fifth position with eight points.
They are tied on points with fourth-placed Firebirds, but are separated by goal difference.
Vixens trail leaders Fever by four points (a win carries four points).
According to supernetball.com.au, Firebirds turned on a final-quarter blitz to notch up the win.
“Vixens goal shooter Mwawi Kumwenda mixed her game up, roaming outside the goal circle which allowed goal attack Tegan Philip to become the focal goal scorer—the move allowing the Vixens to lock the scores up at 10-10 midway through the quarter,” reads part of the report.
Defensive intensity dictated the tempo of the match, with the Vixens’ patience reaping rewards – the home side going on a 6/7 run to win the first quarter 17-14.
Vixens led 31-29 at halftime. They led 44-43 going into the last quarter in which Firebirds turned it all around.
Reacting to the loss, Mwawi said: “It was just another bad day out but we will pick ourselves up.”n
