The dominance of goal-shooter Sam Wallace hasn't been enough for the NSW Swifts, who lost 65-58 at home to the Melbourne Vixens in Super Netball.
The Vixens' hallmark on Saturday was a fast-passing counterattack, with goal-shooter Mwai Kumwenda manipulating her split step upon landing to draw herself ever closer to the post and finish, on her way to 37 goals from 39 attempts.
Coming out of retirement midway through this season and working her way to a starting spot, Vixens wing defence Renae Ingles' two intercepts formed a small piece of wider mid-court pressure that made it difficult for the home side to return serve, often unable to garner clean possession at the top.
Swifts coach Briony Akle was unable to relieve her side through the bench at Quaycentre, with two regulars unavailable for selection.
Shooter Sophie Garbin is out for a week with a foot complaint, while mid-courter Clare O'Brien will sit out for a much more significant stint after rupturing her achilles tendon.
Vixens goalkeeper Kadie-Ann Dehaney was able to shut out Wallace for small spells and when she did, the scoreboard showed the difference it made.
Two such interruptions led to a five-goal streak late in the second quarter.
Nonetheless, Wallace finished with 48 from 50, though the stat sheet can't translate the flair she brought to the game, including scoring a goal as she fell over the baseline and a memorable no-look pass through the legs as she recycled the feed.
The home side was able to draw the third quarter and win the fourth to earn a bonus point but it wasn't enough to claw back the goals they let through in the first half.
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