THE Melbourne Mavericks has created some Super Netball history for themselves, defeating the Sunshine Coast Lightning by a mere goal to earn their first ever win.

The Lightning lead for the vast majority of the match, before the Mavericks pinched the win at the absolute death.

The Lightning were the ones to take the first proper after Cara Koenen rewarded the intercept Mahalia Cassidy picked up further up the court.

The Lightning managed to get the lead out to as much as four goals before the Mavericks kicked back into gear and halved that margin.

The Mavericks certainly threw everything at trying to completely eliminate the deficit, but unfortunately for them they just ran out of time to do so.

This saw the Lightning hold a two goal lead at the first change.

The Mavericks were quick off the mark in the second term, quickly levelling up the score off the back of an Amy Parmenter turnover.

Although they were unable to take the lead for themselves, the Mavericks kept the pressure on the Lightning and did not lead them get out by more than a couple of goals.

The margin was three goals at the start of the Power Five, but then things started to look a bit ominous for the Lightning. Eleanor Cardwell was finding her range from Super Shot zone and Steph Fretwell was forced to the bench with an ankle injury concern.

But, the Lightning were able to maintain their lead, and as such held on to a four goal lead as the teams went into the main break.

With Fretwell back on the court for the Lightning in the third term, the game was still tight.

However, the Mavericks did win the quarter by one to be a mere three goals down as the teams turned for home.

As the game remained tight and tense early in the last quarter, it got a little bit chaotic too as both sides copped an ankle injury to key players.

The Lightning were able to maintain their lead, but the Mavericks were not going to go away easily.

The Mavericks certainly had their opportunities to level up the score, but were their own worst enemy in that quest.

With a minute left on the clock, the margin was four goals in the Lightning’s favour and things were looking good.

Enter Gabby Sinclair, who landed two Super Shots in a row to level up the score, and with one final goal from Shimona Jok, the win was theirs.  

In other results:

• The Adelaide Thunderbirds really got some mojo back into their 2024 season with a big 20 goal win over the Giants.

The first half was where the Thunderbirds did the most damage, winning the first two quarters by six goals and eight goals respectively.

Adelaide’s defence starred yet again, with Matilda Garrett, Latanya Wilson and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey picking up 15 gains between them.

Meanwhile for the Giants Jamie-Lee Price continued to lead from the front, while Matilda McDonell also had a really solid game.

• The Melbourne Vixens remain undefeated this season after a 13 goal win over the Queensland Firebirds.

The home side led by 10 goals at the main break, but the Firebirds fought back and won the third quarter, but all the Firebirds’ hard work was ultimately undone in the final term.

Jo Weston picked up seven gains in the win, while Kate Moloney was a workhorse through midcourt for the Vixens.

Meanwhile Remi Kamo and Ruby Bakewell-Doran both impressed for the Firebirds, picking up 14 gains between them.

• The West Coast Fever also remain undefeated in 2024 after a 16 goal win over the NSW Swifts.

The Swifts did win the second quarter by six goals, but it meant little in relation to the rest of the game which saw the Fever win the other three quarters by eight, seven and seven goals respectively.

Sunday Aryang was a rock in defence for the Fever, while Alice Teague-Neeld was again a workhorse in midcourt.

Meanwhile for the vanquished Swifts Maddy Proud had another captain’s performance and Elle Temu impressed in defence.