IN a fight for top four positions it was the Swifts that got the job done in convicning fashion against the Sunshine Coast Lightning (69-64). The fast start from the Swifts gifted them the upper hand from the opening quarter and they did not look like relenting running out with a strong four quarter performance.

The Swifts came out with a point to prove winning ball back off the Lightning’s centre pass and immediately made them pay. Sam Wallace got the nod in goal shooter this round and did not disappoint under the post while Helen Housby continued her upwards trajectory with a strong start. The Swifts put the foot down piling on the first five goals of the game. Missing the presence of Steph Wood in the frontend the Lightning looked all out of sorts in attack. Tayla Fraser showcased her drive and athleticism back in that wing defence roll to transition the ball forward and keep the foot down for the Swifts. The first goal of the game for the Lightning came with just under five minutes played as Peace Proscovia dazzled with her smarts to reinvent a lay-up. Housby was simply unstoppable in attack, backing herself from range all across the circle as they maintained that five goal buffer.

After a fast start this goal for goal rhythm ensued as Lightning capitalised on their centre passes to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Laura Scherian started to generate some confidence for the Lightning as Nat Hayhtornthwaite impressed in her first start for a couple of weeks. The Swifts were blistering in attack, transitioning down the court within a blink of an eye. There was a real aura of confidence from NSW as they strangled the attacking movements of Sunshine Coast to keep their noses well and truly in front. The lead ballooned out to as much as eight goals before the Lightning found a much needed edge to sink three goals in a row. Cara Koenen upped the ante showcasing her defensive nous along with her traditional attacking flair to reduce the deficit to five heading into quarter time.

The Swifts continued where they left off as Wallace nailed the first two goals of the game. They built from defence as Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner managed to create doubt in the Lightning’s mind. Looking for a spark through the midcourt Sunshine Coast tinkered with their line-up as Mahalia Cassidy was replaced by Maddy McAuliffe into centre. Meanwhile the Swifts remained the same as Maddy Proud hit her stride through the midcourt to control the tempo with her precision and drive. The Swifts treasured possession as they weaved the ball down the court with great ease as the Lightning struggled to make the most of their opportunities.

The margin once again blew out to as the Swifts put the foot down to create a nine goal buffer. Cassidy re-entered the game replacing Kate Shimmin as the Lightning looked for a way to stem the bleeding. There was simply for answers for the Swifts as uncharacteristic errors from Sunshine Coast dictated the term. With a timeout called it was changes aplenty as Koenen slotted back to her traditional goal shooter position as Binnian Hunt made her way on in goal attack. Phumza Maweni was receiving a wealth of attention from the umpire prompting the Lightning to make another change as Shimmin pulled on the goal keeper bib. But it did not seem to have an impact as the Swifts extended out to a 13 goal lead. A couple of consecutive shots to close out the term kept the Lightning within striking distance at half time.

It was much of the same in the third term as the Swifts continued their methodical and tactical approach in attack. Housby was having the upper hand against Kalra Pretorius as the goal attack impressed with her timing and game smarts to dictate the play. Klau showcased her read of the play and dare to cherry pick an intercept and send it up the other end of the court within a blink of an eye. Hunt struggled to find her shooting radar while Koenen on the other hand shouldered the load. The Lightning got back to within nine goals after the lead had extended to as many as 11 earlier in the term.

With the game on the line the Lightning dug further into their bench as Maddie Hinchliffe made her league debut pulling on the wing defence bib. Koenen upped the ante under the post for Sunshine Coast while a couple of defensive wins from Shimmin saw the Lightning eat into the deficit. Koenen brought out the party tricks during the super shot period nailing back to back shots before Hunt found her rhythm to get back within six goals. but it was too little, too late as the swifts showcased their ability to play patient and careful netball.

Wallace led the way with her 50 goals from 52 while Housby fired on all cylinders with her 18 goals from 20 attempts at 90 per cent. Proud impressed through the midcourt with her 30 goal assists. Defensively Klau was up and about recording four intercepts and six gains. For the Lighting Koenen was the go-to girl shooting 33 goals from 37 attempts while she also amassed two intercepts. Proscovia also played her part with 17 goals from 19 attempts. Scheiran was a maestro through the midcourt recording 16 goal assists while down back it was Shimmin that impressed registering six deflections.

NSW SWIFTS 20 | 20 | 14 | 15 (69)
SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING 15 | 14 | 15 | 20 (64)

STARTING SEVEN: 

Swifts:

GS: Sam Wallace
GA: Helen Housby
WA: Nat Haythornthwaite
C: Maddy Proud
WD: Tayla Fraser
GD: Maddy Turner
GK: Sarah Klau

Lightning: 

GS: Peace Proscovia
GA: Cara Koenen
WA: Laura Scherian
C: Mahalia Cassidy
WD: Kate Shimmin
GD: Karla Pretorius
GK: Phumza Maweni

Photo credit: SSN