The gulf in depth between the Australian and New Zealand teams continues to get wider in the inaugural ANZ Transtasman Netball Championship, with only the Magic tasting victory for the Kiwi sides over the weekend.
New Zealand teams are still looking for their first win on Australian soil after the NSW Swifts dealt to the bottom of the table Central Pulse on Monday evening. The defensive efforts of English import Sonia Mkoloma and veteran midcourter and Samoan international Frances Solia not enough to stave off a 30-59 defeat as Catherine Cox and Susan Pratley shot in the high eighties to ensure their side was always in control.
The Melbourne Vixens were equally ruthless putting away the Tactix 58-50. Australian shooter Sharelle McMahon was all class, while on the other end Jodi Brown (nee Te Huna) tried in vain to inspire her team with a scintillating display of shooting, missing just two shots.
Adelaide Thunderbirds’ Tongan defender Mo’onia Gerrard combined with English import Geva Mentor and Natalie Von Bertouch to strangle the Southern Steel offence in their 54-41 victory. The Australian international was dynamic picking off turnovers and intercepts at will.
The Magic were the only Kiwi side to taste victory thrashing the lowly West Coast Fever 61-47. Silver Ferns Irene Van Dyke and Maria Tutaia continue their impressive combination in the shooting circle while Casey Williams and Jolene Henry were tireless in defence.
The Northern Mystics continue their losing streak going down 46-40 to the Queensland Firebirds. Questions are now being asked off Silver Fern reps such as Paula Griffin, Jade Topia and even the fitness of the circle defenders.
Round 4 - Official Results and Scores
LADDER AFTER ROUND 4
ROUND 4 RESULTS
MONDAY 28 APRIL
NSW Swifts (59) defeated Suzuki Pulse (30)
Swifts shooting statistics
Catherine Cox - 36/43 (84%)
Susan Pratley - 15/17 (88%)
Leah Shoard - 8/12 (67%)
Pulse shooting statistics
Susan Tagicakibau - 19/23 (83%)
Amber Bellringer - 8/14 (57%)
Jamilah Gupwell - 3/5 (60%)
Melbourne Vixens (58) defeated Skope Tactix (50)
Vixens shooting statistics
Caitlin Thwaites – 40/52 (77%)
Sharelle McMahon – 18/21 (86%)
Tactix shooting statistics
Jodi Brown – 36/38 (96%)
Anna Thompson – 14/17 (82%) 
SUNDAY 27 APRIL
Adelaide Thunderbirds (54) defeated Ascot Park Southern Steel (41)
Thunderbirds shooting statistics
Kate Beveridge - 18/21 (86%)
Kristen Hughes – 18/20 (90%)
Natalie Medhurst - 18/21 (86%)
Steel shooting statistics
Daneka Wipiiti – 33/46 (72%)
Megan Dehn – 8/10 (80%)
SATURDAY 26 APRIL
Colourplus Magic (61) defeated West Coast Fever (47)
Magic shooting statistics
Irene van Dyk – 35/37 (95%)
Maria Tutaia – 26/33 (79%)
Fever shooting statistics
Caitlin Bassett – 35/38 (92%)
Bianca Franklin – 8/10 (80%)
Nikala Smith – 4/5 (80%)
Queensland Firebirds (46) defeated LG Mystics (40)
Firebirds shooting statistics
Romelds Aiken - 27/33 (82%)
Janelle Lawson – 15/18 (83%)
Joanne Morgan - 4/6 (67%)
Mystics shooting statistics
Paula Griffin - 18/25 (72%)
Cathrine Latu – 15/16 (94%)
Jade Topia – 7/9 (785)
LADDER AFTER ROUND 4
| TEAM | P | W | L | F | A | % | PTS |
| NSW Swifts | 4 | 3 | 1 | 206 | 169 | 122% | 6 |
| Melbourne Vixens | 4 | 3 | 1 | 208 | 174 | 120% | 6 |
| Queensland Firebirds | 4 | 3 | 1 | 202 | 176 | 115% | 6 |
| Adelaide Thunderbirds | 4 | 3 | 1 | 189 | 166 | 114% | 6 |
| Colourplus Magic | 4 | 3 | 1 | 210 | 191 | 110% | 6 |
| Skope Tactix | 4 | 3 | 2 | 190 | 197 | 96% | 4 |
| Southern Steel | 4 | 3 | 2 | 186 | 199 | 93% | 4 |
| West Coast Fever | 4 | 1 | 3 | 183 | 208 | 88% | 2 |
| LG Mystics | 4 | 0 | 4 | 181 | 199 | 91% | 0 |
| Suzuki Pulse | 4 | 0 | 4 | 141 | 217 | 65% | 0 |
Round 5 Draw - 03/05/2008
Fever v Firebirds, Challenge Stadium, Perth 03/05/2008 12:30PM
Magic v Pulse, Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton 03/05/2008 2:30PM
Swifts v Vixens, Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle 05/05/2008 7:00PM
Steel v Mystics, Stadium Southland, Invercargill 05/05/2008 7:00PM
Thunderbirds Bye
Tactix Bye
• times are local
