Taipans edge thriller
21/11/2009 10:56 PM
block yet again with two crucial baskets, including a three, which were instant replies to further buckets from Johnson and Hodge.
Mark Worthington had the chance to hand his team the lead for the first time in the match when he had a shot from three-point land with less than 90 seconds remaining after a turnover caused by Melzer fumbling a regulation pass out of bounds.
But the former South Dragons' captain missed and Kerry Williams made the Tigers pay when he ran down the other end with a strong drive to the bucket to ice the match.
Melbourne (3-8) is back in action in a fortnight's time when it takes on Adelaide at the Distinctive Homes Dome on December 5 while Cairns (6-8) meets New Zealand in Auckland on Thursday.
Melbourne Tigers 83 (Johnson 19, Hodge 16, Corletto 15)
Cairns Taipans 86 (Jones 21, Grabau 16, Rychart 12)
@ The State Netball and Hockey Centre, 21/11/2009. Crowd: 3178