BENDIGO’S Caitlin Thwaites has netted an impressive 50 goals from 54 attempts as Collingwood Magpies broke through for an overdue Super Netball win on Sunday.
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A late Magpies resurgence denied the Thunderbirds their first win of the season.
The Thunderbirds won the first and second quarters by one point on Sunday, but the Magpies swooped in the third before flying away in the last to win the game 58-48.
In their second game since dumping coach Dan Ryan, the Thunderbirds' attack crumbled in the fourth as the Magpies stole momentum.
Former Thunderbirds captain and star recruit Erin Bell subbed on in the second quarter and did much of the leg work through the mid-court for the Magpies.
It was another fine shooting display from Thwaites, who remains second on the leading goal shooters table behind only West Coast Fever’s Jhaniele Fowler.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Vixens took an important step towards securing a semi-final spot with a dramatic 58-57 victory over Queensland Firebirds.
With scores level in the final minute, Malawi import Mwai Kumwenda won back possession for the Vixens to seal their third successive win.
We were just saying we need one ball turnover," Vixens defender Renae Ingles said.
"Any gain ball you get off a team like the Firebirds, you have to treasure it so it came down to that."
Ingles was pleased to hold off the fast-finishing Firebirds after the home side hit the front in the fourth quarter.
"We knew with the Firebirds, regardless of what the scoreline was, they have a lot of scoring power," she said.
"For us it was about the 60-minute contest and it certainly was that, it came down to the last seconds of the game."
In next week’s games, Collingwood is away against Sunshine Coast Lightning, while the Vixens host the Thunderbirds.
