Lightning win amid protest
SUNSHINE Coast have held off a gallant Adelaide to return to the top of the table, after both teams had joined arms for a pre-game protest directed against Netball Australia.
The Lightning’s 59-50 Super Netball victory last night at Brisbane Entertainment Centre moves them above the Giants and Melbourne Vixens, at least until both play today.
The Australian Netball Players’ Association threatened to strike if former Australian captain Kathryn Harby-Williams was not retained as a Netball Australia board member.
But, after she was not reelected on Friday, the Firebirds and Lightning players opted for a one-minute huddle ahead of the match.
The Lightning blitzed the Firebirds early, taking a 10point lead into halftime with Laura Langman in scintillating form with 10 goal assists. The home side switched things around, with Erena Mikaere and Kelsey Browne coming on for Karla Mostert and Maddy McAuliffe, meaning Langman moved to wing defence.
Mostert returned to the court in the last quarter which steadied the Sunshine Coast franchise and enabled their superior shooters Caitlin Bassett (37 from 41) and Stephanie Wood (22 from 25) to extend their lead once more.