Cholhok hits 54 goals as Lightning claim magnificent seven
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning took their winning run to seven matches with a comfortable 72-56 victory at Leeds Rhinos.
Lightning, who have already qualified for the play-off semi-finals, were run close by Severn Stars in their last match, letting a comfortable lead slip and requiring a late flurry of goals to get over the line.
But they had no such problems against Rhinos, who failed to repeat their superb performance against Manchester Thunder which saw them push the champions so close before losing 65-63.
Lightning’s display was exactly what head coach Vic Burgess was hoping for as her team push for a spot in June’s Grand Final, where they will look to reclaim the crown they won in 2021. Mary Cholhok, below, claimed another big haul on her return to the circle with 54 goals, with Rhea Dixon and Emma Thacker both providing excellent foil at goal attack as they fought against the continually impressive Vicki Oyesola.
But the Rhinos defender was unable to stem the flow of Lightning attacks and head coach Liana Leota rued a lacklustre showing.
“I just don’t think we turned up, both physically and mentally,” said Leota.
“We knew it was going to be a tough task, but we wanted to weather the storm in the first half and then to grind out to the end.
“There was moments of brilliance when we turning over ball but in attack we just weren’t scoring or taking care of position.” Lightning’s next match is against Surrey Storm at Surrey Sports Park on Friday (7.30pm). Elsewhere, London Pulse returned to the top of the Netball Super League but were made to work for their 53-46 win over Strathclyde Sirens.
The hosts led 14-11 after the first quarter before Sam Bird’s side produced a huge second quarter to swing the momentum of the game in their favour.
Pulse’s impressive depth once more came into the equation as Bird emptied the bench at halftime, with only Funmi Fadoju and Olivia Tchine going back out for the second half.
Sirens refused to go down easily, fighting back to level the score in the third quarter but Pulse eventually had too much and sealed a comfortable win.
It has been a year of transition for Team Bath under new head coach Asha Francis, and there were plenty of positive signs for the Blue & Gold despite a 67-63 defeat to Manchester Thunder.
Sophie Drakeford-Lewis was the match-winner for Surrey Storm as her last-gasp goal decided a dramatic contest against Celtic Dragons 48-47.
Severn Stars set out their stall for this season with a stunning 59-55 victory over Saracens Mavericks at the Season Opener, but Camilla Buchanan’s side exacted their revenge in Round 17 with a 54-50 win in Worcester.