Lightning Show Flashes of Potential

It is turning out to be a very busy end to the Co-operative Netball Superleague season for Loughborough Lightning.  While most of the teams are preparing for their final games, (Celtic Dragons have already broken up for summer) Lightning took to the court against TeamBath with another two to follow.

The reigning champions have one more regular fixture to play after winning in Loughborough with the promise at least two more games before this year’s title is decided.  It was another chance for Jess Garland to test out her many combinations.

The shooting was a bit on the low side for two teams that have been rather effective in the goal area this term but it was an effective start for TeamBath who took a seven goal lead into the first quarter break.

Rosie Allison and Pamela Cookey have been building a good relationship in the circle, youth and experience a good blend for the west country side.  Between them they had racked up 13 goal advantage by half-time.

Lighting were turning over ball, but failing time and again to convert.  Harten and James were let down by their supply lines and were a little off target by their own standards.

Olivia Murphy introduced Alex Kirk after an injury to SJ O’Sullivan towards the end of the second quarter and the new look mid-court in the second half introduced a more competitive edge to Lightning’s game. 

They were just three goals off the pace in the third quarter.  At the end of the final 15 minutes Loughborough had played themselves to within one goal of their opponents. Final score Lightning 37 TeamBath 54.

It was another frustrating night for Olivia Murphy, Loughtborough Lightning’s head coach. "Once again, we put out patches of very exciting and controlled netball," she said, "but we didn’t do it for long enough in each quarter."

"Our defenders did extremely well turning the ball over 14 times in the first quarter but we didn’t convert this opportunities to goal.  Bath again performed well with pace and power putting our attack end under pressure."

TeamBath boss Jess Garland said,"We were a bit hesitant this evening.  Defensively we were effective but our attack was hesitant.

"It can be difficult getting ready for a game on a Thursday evening, this close to the end of the season. Credit to Loughborough Lightning who really moved ball around it took a while to get used to their speed."

By Lisa O’Sullivan