The NSW Swifts have evened the ledger with the Sunshine Coast Lighting, storming home in the final quarter to claim a 61-54 win at Brisbane's Nissan Arena on Wednesday night.
The Round 7 Suncorp Super Netball clash was the second Grand Final rematch in a matter of weeks with the Swifts bouncing back after going down to the Lightning in Round 4.
The win was the Premiers' third in a row, setting up a huge top of the table clash with the Melbourne Vixens on Saturday.
"I'm just so glad everyone out there did their job exactly like they were supposed to," head coach Briony Akle said afterwards.
"We might have won by seven but that was probably the most intense game we've played as the Lightning were in the contest right until the last minute.
"Our games with them are always edge of your seat and it proved to be that again tonight."
The opening exchanges were frenetic as the sides went about their business with speed and accuracy. A couple of fumbles from both attacks resulted in turnovers but heading into the first Rebel Power Five of the night the teams were locked at 11 goals apiece.
Helen Housby sunk the first Suncorp Super Shot of the game but missed her next attempt which allowed Cara Koenen put Lightning ahead before Sophie Garbin leveled the scores (16-all) at the first-break buzzer.
The fast, free-flowing netball continued in the second quarter with turnover possession hard to come by. The Swifts did secure some thanks to good hustling in defence but Laura Langman was a menace in the midcourt and her good work, combined with a Garbin miss, gave the Lightning the opportunity to take a three-goal lead.
That advantage grew to five but Sam Wallace – on for Garbin – had the final say before halftime with a Super Shot to keep NSW well in the hunt going to the sheds.
The Lightning could have built a substantial lead early in the third quarter but two hunting intercepts from Sarah Klau and good rebounding on the circle edge from Paige Hadley got the Swifts back into the lead, forcing the Lightning into a timeout with six minutes to go in the period.
Sunshine Coast were quick to keep the pressure on their opponents and, despite chances to lead by more, the Premiers were only ahead by one at the final break.
Klau was at the forefront of a superb fourth quarter effort, coming up with two quick intercepts and linking well with Maddy Turner in defence.
The Swifts had far better shape and Akle's rotation earlier in the game seemed to be paying dividends with the Swifts quicker to regather any loose ball.
Captain Maddy Proud put in an MVP performance and her feeding to Housby and Wallace was on point. NSW won the final quarter 17-11 and cemented their place in the top two at the halfway point of the regular season.
Quarter by Quarter Scores
SWIFTS | Q1: 16, Q2: 29 (13), Q3: 44 (15), Q4: 61 (17)
LIGHTNING | Q1: 16, Q2: 32 (16), Q3: 43 (11), Q4: 54 (11)
Starting Teams
SWIFTS | GS Helen Housby, GA Sophie Garbin, WA Natalie Haythornthwaite, C Maddy Proud, WD Paige Hadley, GD Lauren Moore, GK Sarah Klau
Reserves used: Maddy Turner, Sam Wallace, Tayla Fraser, Sophie Craig
LIGHTNING | GS Cara Koenen, GA Steph Wood, WA Laura Scherian, C Laura Langman, WD Jacqui Russell, GD Karla Pretorius, GK Phumza Maweni
Reserves used: Maddy McAuliffe, Peace Proscovia
Match Stats
View full match stats HERE
