Sunshine Coast a stayer in demolition derby
SUNSHINE Coast Lightning yesterday outlasted archrivals Queensland Firebirds in a thrilling Super Netball minor semi-final to keep their title defence alive.
The defending champions survived 57-56 to set up a grand final replay with the Giants in next Sunday’s preliminary final.
The winner will go on to meet West Coast Fever in the championship decider in Perth on August 26.
In a tense, bruising affair, Sunshine Coast led for virtually the entire derby but only had the playoff in the bag in the final seconds.
The Lightning proved more clinical and composed in the clutch moments until the Firebirds mounted a comeback in the last term.
With Australian coach Lisa Alexander tipping the winner to go all the way to the title, both sides produced a match worthy of the billing.
They showed their championship credentials from the outset, going goal for goal in the opening half, highlighted by brutal battles in both goal circles.
Lightning defenders Geva Mentor and Karla Pretorius provided the break by forcing two late attacking turnovers for their side to score the last five goals of the first half for a 31-27 lead.
The visitors carried their momentum into the second half, quickly jumping out to a seven-goal lead as the Firebirds attack struggled under pressure.
Ahead 48-42 at the last change, the Lightning started feeling the heat as the home side threw everything at them in a tense final quarter.