On the back of what has been a disappointing Co-Operative Superleague season, Loughborough Lightning took to the court one final time against Glasgow Wildcats at the Loughborough Uni Netball Centre. It was set to be a close game, with both teams fighting to avoid finishing the season bottom of the table. However, despite losing out to Wildcats in their meeting earlier in the season, Lightning took the game in a storming final quarter.
Undoubtedly, Wildcats would have been relieved to see Lightning were without star player and captain Jo Harten who was out with a broken rib. Instead James and Kirk made up a smaller shooting circle, offering different options to the usually dominant Harten. Becky James also started at centre, for the injured Sarah-Jane O’Sullivan, and Becky Gentle made her first start of the season due to a broken ankle sustained early on in the campaign.
Despite the delayed start to the game, Lightning looked like a team who were very much focused on the task in hand, as they came out all guns blazing to score 5 unanswered goals. Wildcats looked shell shocked as a patient Lightning centre court of Katy Rose and Becky James waited for the right pass into the ever accurate Kirk and James. Despite a brief stoppage due to an umpiring problem, Wildcats found their rhythm and briefly found a way back into the game. However, Lightning fought until the end of the quarter, to go in 14-9 up.
The start of the second quarter was a much tighter affair, as the Wildcats defence were far more vigilant in keeping James and Kirk out of the Lightning shooting circle. Lightning’s lead was reduced, as shots started to be missed; no one could blame the onlooking Lightning fans for wondering if Lightning were going to let the game slip away from them, as they had done on so many occasions this season. However, thanks to two shots from the consistent James in the final minute of play, Lightning went in at half time level , 25-25.
The exciting end to the second quarter continued into the start of the second half, as both teams clearly believed victory was within their grasp. It was goal for goal, with both teams forcing each other to up their games and make mistakes. There was another short stoppage due to an injury to Emma Bliss, and from this Lightning went on to dominate the remainder of the quarter. Layla Guscoth and Emma Bliss made some remarkable tips in defence, and good link up in attack from Katy Rose into the shooting circle saw Lightning’s lead increase to 6. A short burst from Wildcats at the end of the quarter saw Lightning go in at the break 34-32 up.
Still at the start of the final quarter, there was much to play for. Fortunately, Lightning showed maturity and composure, coming out upon the restart in a similar fashion to a way they had started the game. Again Rose and James supported the circle well, as Kirk and James controlled the Wildcats circle defence. After an injury to Rose, Lightning extended their lead to 7, and it was as if their problems this season had never happened. Interceptions throughout the court, and long balls into the circle from Bliss in defence highlighted Lightning’s new found confidence, as Wildcats barely got a look in. The game ended with Lightning winning 49-37, a win thoroughly deserved.
The togetherness of the Lightning squad was echoed throughout the final quarter and upon the final whistle, as those on the bench, led by Harten, cheered and encouraged Lightning’s brave battlers.
This mood was echoed by coach Murphy, “Their were ups and downs today, but a win’s a win and I think we thoroughly deserved it. We made smart decisions under pressure and this was characterised by our performance in the final quarter. If only this game was at the start of the season!”
She also praised Lightning’s individual performances, “Alex (Kirk), in particular played well today, holding the shooting circle there. Often the attention is on Jo, but today was Alex’s turn to take the headlines.”
“It was also good to see Becky Gentle back in the starting line up, after a long lay out due to injury”
Tosay’s performance was by no means perfect, but it was a reward for all of young Lightning’s hard work this season, and shows just how far they have come. Keep up to date with all Lightning info by going to www.loughboroughlightning.com.
Report by Kelly Somers
