Coast to Coast as history repeats

THE Sunshine Coast Lightning has struck twice.

In just its second season in the Suncorp Super Netball competition, the Lightning claimed a second grand final victory with a 62-59 win over West Coast Fever at Perth Arena yesterday.

In front of a national league record crowd of 13,722, the Lightning trailed by seven goals late in the second quarter but seven unanswered goals either side of halftime saw it stay in the hunt.

A 22-16 third term handed the Lightning the momentum and it hung tough in a tense final quarter when the scores were level at 55-all with six minutes left on the clock.

Caitlin Bassett hit 45 goals from 50 attempts while Steph Wood added 17 goals from 20 attempts for the Lightning. Jhaniele Fowler had 53 goals from 55 attempts for the Fever.

The Lightning had lost its opening three matches of the regular season and had to win its last four matches just to squeeze into the top four.

They were rank outsiders to claim the title but beat the Firebirds in Brisbane, the Giants in Sydney and the Fever in Perth to take the silverware.

“I’m just so proud of the girls,’’ Lightning captain Geva Mentor said.

It was a heartbreaking result for the Fever, playing in its first grand final.

The third quarter is known as the ‘premiership quarter’ for a reason. It is when champions teams show their mettle — and when the Lightning stood tall.

Trailing 29-26 at half time, Sunshine Cost scored the first three goals of the quarter to draw level with the Fever. T he teams got into a tense grind until West Coast produced costly turnovers and the Lightning pounced to establish a handy lead. That set the scene for the Lightning’s final quarter heroics.

The teams had been locked at 14-all at quarter-time after a rollercoaster opening term.

The flashpoint was when Lightning goal attack Steph Wood smashed into the goalpost with three minutes left before the first break.

Wood was driving towards the post when she was checked hard by Fever captain Courtney Bruce. Wood appeared distressed as she lay on the floor, before being taken into the dressing rooms. She returned to the Lightning bench at the quarter-time break but did not take to the court for the second term.

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