Lightning win on Tyneside to take Top Spot

Team Northumbria 42 - 46 Lightning

26th January 2008

Gateshead Leisure Centre

After an edgy start for Lightning, the girls pulled together to deny Northumbria easy ball at the centre pass. It was clear from the start that it was going to be a physical encounter, despite efforts from Lightning players to take clean ball; each attacking move was met with a Northumbrian on their back.

The first quarter’s possession was split pretty evenly between the two teams, Northumbria ending the quarter one goal ahead at 13–12.

At the start of the second period, Loughborough stuttered through some unfortunate errors, allowing Northumbria another bite at the cherry. But the team regained their composure, Clarke’s grit and determination saw her make several tips and key interceptions, to keep the team in touch at 23-20.

Coach Rose Port made great use of her versatile bench introducing a new back-line bringing on Penny (GK) and Tomlin (GD). O’Neill entered the court at centre with Murphy switching to WA and the experienced Astle coming on at GS. The changes sparked Lightning into a new dimension with a flourish of unanswered goals – this clearly upset the opposition. Despite Martins physical attention, Murphy linked the ball smoothly from the centre court into the shooting circle where Astle was holding strong against Kiwi Hutton. The defensive unit showed great flashes of the game that Lightning knew they play best, leaving Northumbria struggling to find an answer. This was much to the delight of our proud and vocal supporters who continued to lift the team. Lightning finished the quarter ahead 33-35.

A storming 3rd quarter from Lighting forced Northumbria to make changes to their line up with Burgess and McLeod swapping positions for the start of the period.

Although Lightning didn’t start the 4th quarter at the same speed as they ended the 3rd, Northumbria’s changes were clearly not working as well as they hoped. Fortunately an injury time out for WA McLeod allowed them to make changes, with injured McLeod returning to C and Burgess back to WA. This disruption did nothing to hold back the efforts of the Lightning team who by this point in the game had realised that it was up to themselves and their supporters to stand strong in order to take a match win, and a moral win.

Northumbria captain Martin was unable to pull her team together to claw back a result. Loughborough kept the ball with a small but very clear and safe margin, taking the victory 42-46.

Lightning – GS-Harten, GA-James, WA-Hampshire, C-Murphy, WD-Clarke, GD-Luck,

GK-Reid.

Substitutions – 3rd quarter – GS-Astle, C-O’Neill, GD-Tomlin, GK-Penny, Murphy moved to WA.

Northumbria – GS-L.McLeod, GA-Macdonald, WA-Lonsdale, C-E.McLeod, WD-Martin,

GD-Connor, GK-Hutton

Substitutions – 2nd quarter – WA-Burgess,

Changes – 3rd quarter – Burgess to C, E.McLeod to WA. 4th quarter at injury time-out- E.McLeod back to WA, Burgess back to C.