Surrey Storm
Following last weekend’s difficult run of fixtures, Lightning were looking to put the disappointing results behind them and record their third win of
the Fiat Netball Superleague season against Surrey Storm in front of a sell out crowd at the Loughborough University Netball Centre. Lightning, again, however failed to fight back from a deficit created in the first quarter, and despite a valiant effort, Storm held out to take the game 56-46.
Player-coach Olivia Murphy chose to keep the faith in her young guns who had lost out last weekend and started with a familiar starting seven- the only change being the reinstatement of Afrika Morris following an impressive substitute performance against Team Bath. The pick of the players on the Storm teamsheet was
Leicester born Tamsin
Greenway, starting at Wing Attack.
From the offset, the importance of the game to both teams was evident, and the passion and determination shown by both sides was admirable. Following last week’s slow start against Team Bath, Lightning appeared to have learnt their lesson, as they kept Storm at bay for the majority of the quarter, thanks to good turnovers in particular from Talissa Haynes at wing defence, and long distance shooting from Jo Harten and Becky James.
However, as Storm dominated the final stages of the first quarter, Lightning were unable to break down their possession, as they closed the quarter scoring 6 goals without a Lightning response. At quarter time, Lightning went in 15-8 down.
The start of the second quarter saw Alex Sinclair replace Morris at goal keeper, as Lightning sought an alternative method to stop Storm’s flow. And,along with the ever-impressive Loughborough crowd, they certainly upped the
tempo, as they brought the game to storm and some physical, intense netball was played.
Murphy impressed in centre court, as both James and Harten’s shooting success rate increased to 100%. Haynes, again, was the pick of the players in defence, making some crucial turnovers. Despite a much better showing
from Lightning, the Storm defence stood strong and restricted the flow into Lightning’s shooters, and as a result Lightning were unable to capitalise and take the lead. At half time, the deficit remained at seven, the score being 27-20 to Storm.
At the start of the third quarter, Lightning had a reshuffle in attack in an attempt to break through the solid storm defence. Sarah Jane O’Sullivan came on at centre, as Murphy moved to wing attack. Harten also moved out to goal
attack in an attempt to provide a link up from centre court to substitute Lianne Badmin at goal shooter.
The move paid dividends, as current and ex
England players Harten and Murphy
proved a formidable combination in the centre court, with O’Sullivan’s energy adding to the pace of the Lightning attack. Despite impressive
shooting from Harten, Storm’s Rachel Dunn matched her, and Storm again opened up their lead by another goal to 33-41.
The final quarter saw Storm state their intent, as they came out all guns blazing to take a 14 goal lead. However Sinclair and Emma Bliss worked
tirelessly in defence to ensure this was pulled back to 10 by the end of the match. Again Harten led by example, with impressive shooting, as Lightning finished the game losing 56-46.
Loughborough Lightning now face two tough fixtures at Hertfordshire Mavericks this weekend and the return fixture to Surrey Storm on 5th March, before returning home to the netball centre on 21st March v Glasgow Wildcats.
Keep up to date with Lightning news and ticket info on www.loughboroughlightning.co.uk or follow us on Twitter- @lborolightning.
