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There was no happy homecoming for Natasha Chokljat as the Melbourne Vixens downed the Southern Steel 42-33 in a defence-oriented trans-Tasman netball league match at Hisense Arena in Melbourne today.
Former Australian international Chokljat, a long-time Melbourne player who won a championship with the Vixens in 2009, has been influential for the Steel since she crossed the Tasman to play for the Invercargill-based franchise this season but her former teammates had her new teammates' measure today.
Even without their inspirational captain and goal shoot Sharelle McMahon, who suffered a serious Achilles injury last week, the Vixens were slick enough across the court to secure their fifth win from eight matches and kick the Northern Mystics out of the top four on goal difference.
To compound things for Chokljat she was forced to leave the court in the fourth quarter with an Achilles injury of her own, an injury which has bothered her in recent times.
A poor first quarter and dodgy shooting cost the Steel, who put up 50 shots to Melbourne's 46 but lacked the accuracy of the home shooters.
Paula Griffin's airshot in the first minute set the tone for the first quarter as the Vixens sped to a 12-7 lead.
The gap was narrowed to three at the major break and the Steel even drew level early in the third stanza as coach Robyn Broughton changed things around in the shooting circle, but the Vixens consolidated and were more composed under pressure, ensuring the Steel remain winless on Australian soil.
Kate Beveridge landed 23 from 26 and promising goal attack Tegan Caldwell 19 from 20 as the Vixens missed just four shots in total, while Steel goal shoot Daneka Wipiiti, with 16 from 22, and Griffin, with 17 from 28, missed 17 between them, shooting at a low 66 per cent.
Both defences can be proud of their efforts, with Vixens goal defence Bianca Chatfield and Steel goal keep Leana de Bruin prominent throughout the match.