IT was a miraculous performance by the NSW Swifts who reigned supreme against the Lightning (47-64) to clench their first premiership since 2008. The win ended a five-game losing streak against the Lightning but most importantly gifted them with the trophy after a dominant 2019 season.

From the first whistle, the battle was on with both sides competing hard and not giving an inch. But it was the Swifts that jumped out of the blocks going on a three-goal shooting spree thanks to Sam Wallace. Uncharacteristic turnovers from the Lightning gifted their counterparts with easy avenues to goal before Cara Koenen answered with a couple of goals of her own but it was not enough to quell the influence of the Swifts who threw everything at them. With momentum swinging back and forth the Swifts took the game by the scruff off the neck with Wallace and Sarah Klau completely dominating their opponent with their pressure and silky skills. Klau imposed herself on every single pass contesting the high balls time and time again and using her feet to cleanly get around the body of Koenen. The Swifts goal keeper notched up three gains, one intercept, two deflections and two rebounds. Inaccuracy cost the Lightning with Steph Wood missing a sitter resulting in a turnover and giving the Swifts another shot at goal. Wallace was on song early relishing the space and dominating under the post with her split and aerial skill. At the 12 and a half minute mark, Noeline Taurua swung the axe forcing Wood to the bench, pushing Koenen out to goal attack and Peace Proscovia into goal shooter. The combination between the two paid dividends, going on a scoring rampage to peg the margin back before the Swifts called a timeout to calm the troops. The Swifts headed into the first break up by four goals.

The game continued at a frenetic pace but it was the Lightning that struck first with a quick fire goal. But the Swifts did not ease up with Housby quickly answering before the Lightning mounted pressure with Proscovia and Koenen putting on a masterclass in the goal circle with their movement and ball placement. The ball bubbled up and down the court woth both sides unable to settle before Proscovia showed good composure under the post to take her three seconds and nail the goal to get the Lightning back within a goal. The Lightning were coming hard credit to the defensive duo of Phumza Maweni and Karla Pretouris winning ball back while Koenen lifted her work load in attack to deliver the ball into Proscovia and provide an option out the front. Pretoirus took a breathtaking intercept miday through the term but the Lightning lost it through transition with the ball firing back down into the circle resulting in yet another Wallace goal. With seven minutes down in the second term Sophie Garbin entered the game with the goal attack taking control and throwing her body around to work the ball into the circle. The physicality lifted up another notch with bodies flying everywhere with Pretorius finding the floorboards twice within a couple of minutes. But a costly turnover in the middle third for the Lightning allowed the Swifts to push back out to three goal lead and build from there. Lightning once again looked to the bench bringing Wood back on but it was not enough with the Sunshine Coast down by eight at half-time.

Up by eight goals after the main break, the Swifts maintained their intensity nullifying the influence of the Lightning and working in overdrive to extend their lead. Wood failed to impact the scoreboard missing a crucial goal in the opening minutes of the quarter and allowing the Swifts to pile on a quick couple of goals. Wood did not slot her first goal until four minute of the term but up the other end Wallace and Housby dominated with Maweni and Pretorius struggling despite a couple of good attempts to regain possession for their side. The Lightning nailed two goals in a row prompting a Swifts timeout but that attacking thrust was quickly quashed with the Swifts owning the rest of the term. Nat Haythornthwaite lifted her load in attack while Paige Hadley continued to find good space. Maweni took a ridiculous intercept but was equally matched by Klau up the other end reading the flight of the ball and propelling the ball back down the court with ease. the third quarter was dominated by plenty of whistle with the umpires having a huge influence on the Lightning defensive unit. With the Sunshine Coast struggling Jacqui Russell entered the game while Koenen made her way back on in goal shooter at the 13 minute mark but it made no impact with the Swifts nudging out to a 10-goal lead.

With only 15 minutes left in the game, the Swifts ran it home making the most of their opportunities under the post. They answered every challenge posed controlling the game with their clever passes and strong structures. In possibly her last game, veteran Laura Langman played her heart out running hard both ways but it was not enough to drag her side over the line. NSW were simply too good and ran rampant in the last term with the fans well and truly riding every bump, goal and intercept. Sophie Halpin made her way onto the court in the final five minutes while Garbin (six from seven) also re-entered replacing Wallace at the post. With three minutes left Annika-Lee Jones pulled on the goal keeper bib while Tayla Fraser also came on for the Swifts. Wallace dominated with (40 from 44) winning the Player of the Match award while Housby notched up (18 from 22). For the Lightning Koenen topscored with (23 from 27).

STARTING LINE-UPS:

Sunshine Coast Lightning:

GS | Cara Koenen
GA | Steph Wood
WA | Laura Scherian
C | Laura Langman
WD | Maddy McAuliffe
GD | Karla Pretorius
GK | Phumza Maweni

NSW Swifts:

GS | Sam Wallace
GA | Helen Housby
WA | Nat Haythornthwaite
C | Paige Hadley
WD | Katrina Rore
GD | Maddy Turner
GK | Sarah Klau