Lightning shooters halt Vixen comeback

THE composure of Sunshine Coast Lightning shooters Cara Koenen and Steph Wood has helped snuff out the finalquarter comeback of defending Super Netball premiers Melbourne Vixens to maintain their side’s unbeaten start to the season.

The pair contributed a combined 53 points on 52-of-60 shooting in the 56-51 victory and showed great composure in the final quarter as the Vixens mounted an unlikely comeback.

Trailing by 10 going into the last quarter, the Vixens seemed out of the contest but showing the grit that led them to a drought-breaking title last year, they fought back in front of a strong crowd at Melbourne’s John

Cain Arena.

Goalshooter Mwai Kumwenda led the revival, with nine of her 25 goals — including two super shots — coming in the final term, with her desperation helping cut the deficit to just six, with more than 12 minutes remaining on the clock.

Kumwenda, pictured, was everywhere in the final term – sinking goals, picking up rebounds and throwing her body around the court while pumping up her teammates and the vocal Melbourne crowd.

The Lightning had subbed Koenen out of the game briefly to bring Peace Proscovia into the match but coach Kylee Byrne brought the Diamonds ace back in the final minutes, with the change ensuring the Lightning did not concede the turnover ball the Vixens needed to steal the win.

Lightning skipper Karla Pretorius played a captain’s knock, constantly getting her hand to ball to disrupt the efforts of Melbourne’s shooters.