THE Sunshine Coast Lightning have dealt a serious blow to the finals hopes of the Queensland Firebirds, defeating their Queensland rivals by 19 goals, 82–61 in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) Round 11 contest yesterday.

A particularly fruitful final term saw the Lightning dish out some payback after the Firebirds comprehensively beat them in Round 1. Little errors in attack cost the Lightning early, and the Firebirds capitalised and took an early lead.

However, their lead did not last long as the Lightning got on a run, eliminated their lead and took the lead for themselves. It was a tight affair for much of the first term, and it looked like it was going to be a Battle of the Bruce for the ages because of how close it was.

Little did anyone in Nissan Arena know what was to come for not only the rest of the quarter but the rest of the match. The Lightning had a late burst to see them take a four goal lead at the first break.

Things got even better for the Lightning in the second term, as they doubled their lead and maintained their control on the match. The Firebirds tried to keep themselves in the match but the Lightning had an answer for everything the Firebirds through at them.

The Firebirds in particular really swung the changes in the third term up both ends of the court, which they desperately needed to do as the margin got out to as much as 14 goals during the term. The only sour note for the Lightning during the term was Steph Wood going down with a knee injury after falling awkwardly. It ultimately proved to not be serious, but it no doubt made the Lightning camp very nervous when she went down.

The Firebirds really lifted in the back end of the third term, but as the teams turned for home the margin was still at nine goals in the visitor’s favour.If things were not hard enough for the hosts at three quarter time, things were about to go from bad to worse.

An even more remarkable quarter from the Lightning saw them run away with the match. They went on to win the quarter 28 to 16 and the game by 21 goals.

For the Lightning, Laura Scherian was a workhorse through the mid court, and Cara Koenen was an accurate workhorse in attack. Meanwhile for the Firebirds, Mia Stower shot a remarkable six super shots, but it was not enough as fumbles and errant passing further up the court let the Firebirds down.  

Next week sees the Lightning in Victoria to face the Melbourne Vixens, while the Firebirds are in Perth to face the West Coast Fever.

QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS 15 | 13 | 17 | 16 (61)
SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING 19 | 17 | 18 | 28 (82)

STARTING SEVENS:

Queensland Firebirds

GS: Donnell Wallam
GA: Gretel Bueta
WA: Lara Dunkley
C: Kim Ravaillion
WD: Gabi Simpson
GD: Ruby Bakewell-Doran
GK: Eboni Usoro-Brown

Sunshine Coast Lightning

GS: Cara Koenen
GA: Steph Wood
WA: Annie Miller
C: Laura Scherian
WD: Mahalia Cassidy
GD: Tara Hinchliffe
GK: Kadi-Ann Dehaney