WEDNESDAY JUNE 18 2014 SPORT 49 Vixens are bracing Storm’s red-letter day for plucky Firebirds with netting of Gray By MELISSA WOODS THE Melbourne Vixens are preparing for an hour of pain to match the physicality of the Queensland Firebirds in Sun- day’s ANZ Championship net- ball Grand Final. The Firebirds booked their place in the decider at Mel- bourne’s Hisense Arena with a rugged 54-50 win over New Zealand’s Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. The minor premier Vixens say they will have to be at their defensive best against the Fire- birds, who showed they were prepared to spill some blood to get the win with goal defence Clare McMeniman a casualty against the Magic. “It’s going to be a slog, no two ways about it,” said vet- eran Australian goaler Cather- ine Cox, who is retiring after the match. “They are a very physical side and they’re not about to give up at any stage so it’s 60 minutes of solid work. “No doubt people will be sore and extremely tired at the end of the game but if we win it I don’t think anyone’s going to mind.” The two teams know each other backwards, having played three times this season. Vixens coach Simone McKinnis and Firebirds men- tor Roselee Jencke played to- gether way back in club netball before both going on to rep- resent Australia. They were in the trenches together in the goal circle be- fore McKinnis moved to wing defence. Queensland Firebirds player Nicola Gray has been signed to play for the Territory Storm Picture: DARREN ENGLAND Their defensive talent has been transferred into their re- By JESS WEBSTER Tickner has played three ports,” he said. “Nicola was and really looking forward to spective teams, as the top two NETBALL “So we are ANL seasons for Queensland wanting a change of positions that first round.” sides in the competition in Fusion and will provide the and for her to remain in the The Territory Storm are points conceded. TERRITORY Storm have going to Territory with a strong tall and Firebirds squad as a shooter, unlike any other ANL team The Vixens, led by skipper pulled off a major recruiting experienced body in defence. where she played her junior with players based in Darwin, Bianca Chatfield, did well in coup with Queensland Fire- provide her Balson is an up-and-coming netball, she has been told to get Alice Springs, Townsville, Bris- their five-point major semi- birds midcourter Nicola Gray that defender from Melbourne who her stats up. bane, Melbourne and Adel- final win to keep a lid on Fire- to represent the NT in the up- has previously represented the “So we are going to provide aide. birds’ scoring weapon Rom- coming Australian Netball opportunity” Territory twice at under-19 her that opportunity at the Tracy Village centre Siob- elda Aiken. League. level. level below and see if she can han Sefton, 26, will captain the The Jamaican still managed Gray, 23, will add valuable Netball NT General Man- force her way back into an Storm this year where the a game-high 35 goals but was experience to a youthful Storm ager Rob Honan said the ANZ Championship scholar- average age of the squad is just made to work for it. squad as she aims to develop presence of Gray will give the ship. 20. The Vixens won the trans- from a midcourt player to squad a big boost in confi- “We had our only training The Territory kicks off its Tasman title in 2009, and were shooter to retain a contract in for Storm alongside fellow dence. camp in Alice Springs over the 2014 campaign on July 11 in Grand Final losers in 2012, the ANZ Championships. Queenslander Emma Tickner “We obviously want the weekend and we are very com- Perth against the Western while the Firebirds fell at the Gray is one of three imports and Victorian Maddy Balson. best of the best for our im- fortable with our preparation Sting. final hurdle last season. Sri Lanka eke out draw Parkin rules for Banks CRICKET stair Cook declared before the By JESS WEBSTER But Saints hit back with the start of Monday’s play, fin- HOCKEY final four goals of the game. SRI Lanka tailender Nuwan ished on 201 for nine. Nightcliff scored goals at ei- Pradeep survived the final five The match was meandering AIDEN Parkin turned the ther end of their match against balls of the match as the tour- towards a draw until England Banks and Commerce-PINT Waratahs to win 2-0. ists clung on for a thrilling spearhead James Anderson Darwin Hockey Association In the women’s competit- draw with England in the first struck either side of tea on the men’s clash into a one-man ion, a late burst from Com- Test at Lord’s in London. way to a remarkable return of show with four goals in Banks’ merce-PINT allowed them to England, in their first Test four wickets for 25 runs in 19 5-0 win at Marrara on Saturday. cruise past Banks 4-2. since their 5-0 Ashes drubbing overs, but it wasn’t enough to Parkin had his first on the Waratahs were too strong in Australia and with a new- secure a stunning win. board inside 10 minutes and for Nightcliff to win 5-2 and St look team including three deb- Instead, the result left the his fourth in a row by the 61st Marys edged past East Darwin utants, thought they’d won teams all-square ahead of Fri- before teammate Tim Fishlock 4-0. when Stuart Broad had Prad- day’s second and final Test of put icing on the cake. ROUND 9 RESULTS eep given out lbw off the pen- the series at Headingley. Jamie Hullick continued his Men ultimate ball of the match. “I can’t praise the lads good form with three goals of Banks 5 d Commerce-PINT 7:10pm July 5th But Pradeep reviewed Aus- enough,” said England captain his own despite East Darwin 0; Nightcliff 2 d Waratahs 0; St tralian umpire Paul Reiffel’s Alastair Cook at the presen- falling to St Marys 5-3. Marys 5 d East Darwin 3 decision and, with technology tation ceremony. The Storm led 2-1 at half- Women TIO Stadium showing an inside edge, he was “That was a flat wicket ... we time and extended their lead to St Marys 4 d East Darwin 0; reprieved. Sri Lanka, set 390 to gave ourselves a chance and to 3-1 with Hullick’s second in the Commerce-PINT 4 d Banks 2; Purchase & Print your own tickets at: win after England captain Ala- come up short is frustrating.” 36th minute. Waratahs 5 d Nightcliff 2 www.ticketdirect.com.au V1 - NTNE01Z01MA.