For the first time in their 2022 Suncorp Super Netball title defence the NSW Swifts have secured three wins on the trot to enter the competition top four.
On Tuesday night they just got the better of the Sunshine Coast Lightning (61-60) in a pulsating Round 10 contest which ebbed and flowed from start to finish.
For much of the night at Sippy Downs the Swifts looked to be in control, however, they simply couldn’t shake their dogged opponents who desperately needed a win to stay in Finals contention.
The Swifts had the better of the first half but lost control of the game in the third quarter, which the Lightning won 19-13, before a crazy final period which saw the Premiers wrestle back momentum before a Super Shot shootout kept the result in doubt until the finals seconds.
Game MVP Maddy Proud was huge for the Swifts, but so too was Helen Housby who nailed the final shot just before the buzzer to give her side the win.
The England international was aided well all night by Kelly Singleton and fellow NSW junior Sophie Fawns who showed immense courage to land Super Shots at the death to counteract the Lightning’s closing rampage.
At the start a missed shot by Steph Wood, a contact call against Cara Koenen and a fine intercept by Sarah Klau were the keys to the Swifts racing out to 10-3 lead with Housby looking very comfortable in the goal shooter position.
The Lightning called the first timeout of the game after seven minutes and it proved to be the respite they needed as the home side settled into their business soon after.
A missed Singleton shot and a held-ball penalty against Paige Hadley provided the impetus the Queenslanders needed to get moving and at quarter-time the Swifts only led by two goals (14-12).
Disconnect in the Lightning attack, where Koenen and Wood were changing between the shooter and goal attack positions, led to more turnover possession for the Swifts early in the second quarter.
NSW were quick to open up a six-goal margin again but a pair of offensive contact calls against them provided another window for the hosts to stay well in touch.
When Wood was penalised for the same offence during the Power Five it allowed NSW to get back on track heading to the sheds, by which time they led by five (29-24).
Reilley Batcheldor was injected into Lightning attack for the second half as the teams started to go goal-for-goal before indiscipline crept into the Swifts’ game.
With their connection looking smoother in attack and Wood moving to wing attack, the Lightning got good return from Swifts mistakes off the centre pass and in the shooting circle, and soon they were within two goals.
When Batcheldor nailed a Super Shot and the Swifts were called for yet another offensive contact, this time against Hadley, the momentum had swung well and truly in favour of the hosts. At three-quarter time the Lighting led by one (43-42).
The Queenslanders stretched their advantage out to three goals when Housby was unable to control the ball but a Maddy Proud intercept in response kept the Swifts in it.
Then the chaos of the final quarter ensued, but the Swifts kept their cool when it mattered most.
FULL MATCH STATS
