Loughborough Lightning Development v Northern Thunder Development 24th February 2007

A determined Lightning Development Squad had another fantastic game of netball last Saturday and beat Northern Thunder Youth Squad 55 - 30. The key to Development's victory was the team work of all players on court from start to finish of the game.

The relentless power and drive in the Development attack kept the mobile and agile thunder Defence busy. With Rachel Sharrod holding strong at GS it allowed Leah Connolly (GA) free run of the circle. Katie Flaherty (C) and Sophie Holdstock (WA) were able to find both shooters with ease in the shooting circle. At the other end the Development defence were working over time to keep the score line down, The new defensive combination of Jess Hartland and Sara Parkinson worked well and turned over numerous balls which were taken down court fluently and finding space all the time and converted in to goals.

The second and Third quarter saw more changes made from the bench with fresh legs being brought on each quarter, but yet this did not disrupt the rhythm that the development squad had established in the first quarter. In the third quarter we saw a Lightning Debut made by Steph Dunn at GK, putting in a strong performance with her first time in Lightning colours.

In the Final quarter The bench rang some more changes and Gave Emma Thurston her first Cap for Lightning Development at WA, her quickness and fast feeds on court enabled lightning to put in a strong last quarter.

This was a great performance by the whole squad on and off the court. Congratulations to the players who made their first outings on the court a strong performace was shown on court.

Squad:

Rachel Sharrod, Leah Connolly, Nina Warren, Emma Thurston, Sophie Holdstock, Rachel Whitmore, Katie Flaherty, Kaylea McQuade, Sara Parkinson, Jess Hartland, Becky Gentle, Steph Dunn

Report by: Rachel Whitmore Captain