Lightning faced Team Bath in their final game of the 2023 Netball Super League season at Sir David Wallace Arena. One week out from the semi-finals the result would determine a home or away fixture against Manchester Thunder.
This week, five Lightning players were announced part of the 2023-24 Vitality Roses and Future Roses programmes, notably Emma Thacker stepping up from Future Roses into the Vitality Roses programme, with Bella Baylis rewarded her first call-up for Future Roses. Sir David Wallace Arena was packed full of Lightning fans and travelling Team Bath supporters in good numbers on a lively Friday night full on energy and vibrancy.
Lightning came flying out of the traps during the first quarter, putting their mark on the game. Tight defensive pressure forced early Bath errors creating opportunities for Lightning to form a strong lead. Mary Cholhok and Emma Thacker settled into a great rhythm and showing the variety available in Lighting’s attacking options.
End of Q1: º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Lighting 21 – 11 Team Bath
Team Bath showed signs of a fightback as Kadeen Corbin got creative for Bath in their attacking circle, working well with Sophie Kelly who converted well from distance. Vic Burgess also introduced Beth Cobden back to court after a lengthy spell on the side-lines with injury, she replaced Jas Odeogberin at wing defence and immediately sprung into action and played like she’d never been away.
Lightning continued to dominate throughout the mid-court with Nat Panagarry linked defence to attack beautifully to feed Thacker and Cholhok in the circle, with the former sinking some excellent long-range shots. The volume in Sir David Wallace Arena turned up as both sets of supporters were backing their teams.
End of Q2: º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Lightning 42 – 30 Team Bath
Vic Burgess switched Beth Cobden and Jas Odeogberin at wing defence at the beginning of the third quarter and Rhea Dixon was introduced to the court in place of Emma Thacker at goal attack. The Lightning threat continued and the introduction of Rhea Dixon offered and alternative option in attack, dropping deeper to receive the ball and combine well with the mid-court and Mary Cholhok.
It was a quarter where Bath continued fight back but struggled to find momentum as Lightning’s defensive duo Alice Harvey and Fran Williams hustled well to turnover ball and win intercepts to set Lightning off on further attacks.
Lightning remained dominant, moving ball with intensity through Hannah Joseph and Nat Panagarry in the mid-court and built up great momentum, extending their lead further.
End of Q3: º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Lightning 60 – 41 Team Bath
The final quarter saw Vic Burgess make another substitution as Zan Vimbela enters the court in place of Alice Harvey. Vimbela immediately showed her hustle and dominance, making tips and interceptions that forced Bath errors and ultimately increased Lightning opportunity to quickly the ball moving forward on attacks.
Mary Cholhok continued to show her ability under the post as she surpassed the 800-goal mark, keeping her at the top of the Lightning and Netball Super League goalscoring charts.
Following her recent Future Roses call up, Bella Baylis enters the court at centre in place of Nat Panagarry and played with creativity and ease. Suzie Liverseidge also replaced Hannah Joseph at wing attack and added to Lightning’s attacking threat, taking their score over 80 points for the second time against Bath this season and making them league highest scorers.
End of Q4: º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Lightning 82 – 57 Team Bath
Mary Cholhok was presented with the Gilbert Player of the Match medal. Nat Panagarry was awarded Long Tall Sally Player of the Match and was also presented the Fan’s Player of the Season award.
Vic Burgess summarised the game post-match:
“I’m proud. We came out of the blocks and I think we got 6 in a row which is awesome and ruthless and something we’ve been speaking about and they came back at us in the second quarter so we need to explore ways in which we can handle that and go back at them… but ultimately it was a solid team performance”
Next up, Lightning play their semi-final fixture against Manchester Thunder. Lightning’s strong goal difference should have been enough to secure a home fixture. Tickets will go on sale in due course. Nat Panagarry urged Lightning fans to turn up in their numbers to the semi-final fixture next week against Manchester Thunder:
“Please come down and support us, it’s a huge game and we want to get to the final and win the trophy back!”
Starting line-up:
GS: Mary Cholhok
GA: Emma Thacker
WA: Hannah Joseph
C: Nat Panagarry
WD: Jas Odeogberin
GD: Fran Williams
GK: Alice Harvey