THE Sunshine Coast Lightning ended the New South Wales (NSW) Swifts winning streak, claiming victory by two goals on the weekend. It was a close encounter with the lead chopping and changing throughout the match, and the result not decided until the dying minutes of the fourth quarter. Both sides won two bonus points, each showcasing the closeness and intensity of the game but in the end it was the Lightning that fought tooth-and-nail to secure a come-from-behind win.

The Lightning were quick off the mark with Steph Wood opening the account for the Sunshine Coast. Their slick ball movement was on display with Wood finding space and feeding the ball into Peace Proscovia with ease. Proscovia continued her hot form from last week nailing 13 goals from 14 attempts. Through the midcourt Silver Ferns star, Laura Langman impressed with her speed, precision and ability to hit the circle edge with ease racking up 11 feeds for the first quarter alone. Swifts goal shooter, Sam Wallace was prolific and accurate under the post once again nailing 12 from 12. With both sides firing in attack it was goal for goal for most the opening term, but with the bonus point on the line the Lightning pushed hard in the final seconds to claim the point and a one goal lead going into quarter time.

The Swifts came out firing in the second term shutting down the Lightning’s attacking play, clogging up the space and causing confusion across the court. Goal keeper Sarah Klau showcased her ability to win the ball and nullify her opponent picking up three gains, one intercept and a deflection credit to her ability to cleanly get around the body and read the play. Helen Housby upped the intensity in the second term finding the net with ease and using her speed to make her presence felt across the court. She nailed 11 goals for the quarter and did a wealth of work to bring the ball down the court with five centre pass receives. While Housby was doing all the damage in the goal circle for the Swifts, Lightning defender Phumza Maweni imposed herself on the game keeping Wallace quiet and picking up three gains, one intercept and two rebounds. Lightning wing attack, Laura Scherian dominated across the court with her speed, dynamic footwork and clever feeds into the circle, forcing Swifts coach, Briony Akle to swap Kate Eddy for Sophie Halpin who made an immediate impact. Halpin did the little things well with her off the ball pressure slowing Scherian up. The combination between Maddy Proud and Paige Hadley was on show once again through the midcourt with the two creating good space in the front end and using their strong drives to move the ball down court with ease.

Up by one goal at half-time, the Swifts were up and about coming out hard after the half time break and using their clever, quick ball movement to work through the Lightning’s zone defence. Eddy made her way back onto the court in goal defence limiting the impact of Wood while Maddy Turner moved to the bench. The Swifts pushed out to a seven-goal lead credit to their ability to swing the ball around an until an option opened up. Lightning veteran Jacqui Russell was brought on for Maddie McAuliffe in wing defence with Russell putting in the hard yards to try and quell the influence of Proud who was running amuck in the Swifts attacking third. With Lightning still struggling across the court, coach Noeline Taurua made a change in attack bringing on Cara Koenen late in the term. Koenen made her presence felt immediately with her strong holds and ability to turn and shoot nailing four goals straight sitting at 100 percent for the quarter. With the lead growing goal defence Karla Pretorius injected herself into the game with her impressive reach, quick feet and sheer ability to win the ball. She picked up an impressive intercept credit to her three-foot marking and athleticism to help spark a comeback for her side. In the third term alone Pretorius amassed five gains and four intercept to draw her side back to within three going into the final change.

There was a real fight on their hands for both sides, with the Swifts looking to keep their undefeated run going and the Lightning wanting to stay in touch with the top sides. But it was the Lightning that had a real fire in the belly and fought hard to create turnovers and capitalise on their opportunities under the post. Their precise ball movement was back on show, while the Swifts were caught off-guard. In hope to try and unsettle the Lightning who had seemed to find their rhythm in attack, with Koenen and Wood combining effortlessly Klau switched out to goal defence, forcing Eddy back into keeper. The Swifts did not have the answers for the Lightning who kicked up a gear with Langman doing what she does best- out running her opponents. The battle between her and Hadley was exciting with both contesting hard and providing plenty of support for their respective sides. But Lightning’s ability to score quickly and efficiently proved too much for the Swifts piling on 17 goals to claim a two-goal victory.

STARTING LINE-UP:

NSW Swifts:

GS | Sam Wallace
GA | Helen Housby
WA | Maddy Proud
C | Paige Haley
WD | Kate Eddy
GD | Maddy Turner
GK | Sarah Klau

Sunshine Coast Lightning:

GS | Peace Proscovia
GA | Steph Wood
WA | Laura Scherian
C | Laura Langman
WD | Madeline McAuliffe
GD | Karla Pretorius
GK | Phumza Maweni