Lightning continue unbeaten streak.

6th December 2008

Team Northumbria 41 - 61 Loughborough Lightning

Lightning’s unbeaten run continued on Saturday with a good away win at Northumbria.

The game opened with Lightning & Northumbria trading goals, but Lightning soon found their rhythm and posted 7 quick goals – largely thanks to defensive pressure in the centre third by Lightning’s attackers. Lightning’s flow was briefly interrupted by Northumbria’s mid-court changes as WA Vicky Burgess went off injured. Lightning finished the quarter strongly to lead 16-10.

Quarter time Lightning changed shooting combination and swapped Murphy and Clarke. This paid dividends as the speed and control of the new look attack caused Northumbria problems. Intensive team defence and capitalising on turnovers lead to a Lightning 9 goal run at the end of the quarter without reply.

At the half time break Lightning had increased their lead to 34-16.

In the third quarter Lightning took time to adapt to Northumbria’s shooting changes as they introduced Vicky Phillips into GA, whose speed and vision was complimented by Carla Dziwoki’s

Shooting consistency. Again there were flashes of inspiration form Lightning culminating in them increasing the score line to 50-26.

The final quarter saw more changes from both Lightning and Northumbria. Lightning continued to turn over ball but lacked patience and control in attack, leading to a good spell for Northumbria. Strong interceptions by O’Sullivan and Clarke in mid-court meant Lightning regained possession on several occasions.

Lightning will be pleased with the victory but will need to increase consistency and control to challenge rivals Bath in Loughborough this coming Saturday.