Vixens stun Lightning as Fever cop first loss

Phumza Maweni of the Lightning (left) and Kaylia Stanton of the Vixens

Defiance off the court transformed to heroics on it for the Melbourne Vixens who have claimed a shock 55-52 Super Netball win against league leaders the Sunshine Coast Lightning.

Under scrutiny after refusing to travel to Perth last weekend for their round nine fixture, the last-placed Vixens astonishingly clawed back from an eight-goal deficit in the fourth quarter for a confidence-boosting win at John Cain Arena.

At the heart of it was Kaylia Stanton, the shooter who had previously been battling for a starting spot but showed enormous courage against the Lightning's international defenders, shooting 18 goals, including a long-range super shot deep in the final term when the game was on the line.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds have recovered from an untidy start to notch a clinical 62-54 victory over the Collingwood Magpies at Netball SA Stadium to stay in the Super Netball finals race.

After falling in an early 8-3 hole, the Thunderbirds bounced back strongly to control the remainder of the contest, piloted by Shamera Sterling who was flawless in defence with eight intercepts and five deflections, ensuring Collingwood spearhead and fellow Jamaican Shamona Nelson had to work overtime for her 29 goals.

Meanwhile, top side Sydney Swifts have inflicted West Coast Fever's first loss of the season, winning by 1 point yesterday afternoon at John Cain Arena.