No drama for Lightning this time in win over Vixens

The Lightning have inflicted a hard-fought first loss of the Super Netball season on the Vixens. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Sunshine Coast have erased the pain of last week's scoreboard fiasco with a gutsy 64-57 Super Netball victory over the previously-unbeaten Melbourne Vixens at John Cain Arena.

The Lightning entered Saturday's game still reeling from last week's controversy, when they thought they had beaten the Giants 71-70 - only for a scoring error to be uncovered after the game.

The corrected score was actually 71-71, and the Lightning ended up losing 86-80 in the extra period.

But there would be no such drama this time around, with the Lightning starting the final quarter with a 7-1 run to secure their second win of the season.

"I'm just really relieved. I really wanted the girls to get that win, just to put last week behind us," Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds said.

"They had fire in their belly from the get-go, and they started really well tonight."

Lightning defenders Tara Hinchcliffe and Ashleigh Ervin produced standout displays, helping overcome the absence of star goalkeeper Courtney Bruce.

Liz Watson, a former co-captain at the Vixens, was also influential in her first game against her old club.

Vixens goal shooter Sophie Garbin shot 31-of-33 to go with three-of-seven Super Shots, while Lightning goal shooter Kara Koenen overcome some wobbles to finish with 37-of-46.

Cara Koenen.
Cara Koenen lines up one of her 37 goals in the win over Melbourne.

The result improved the Lightning to 2-4, while the Vixens' first loss of the season dropped them to 5-1.

The Lightning came out all guns blazing early, shooting out to a 5-0 lead in less than four minutes before Vixens coach Simone McKinnis called a tactical time out.

Garbin nailed 12-of-14 in the first quarter and added a Super Shot to her tally as the home side took the ascendancy and headed to the first break with a 19-14 lead.

Koenen was benched during the first period after missing four shots - most of them from close range.

The second quarter had a similar ring to the first, with McKinnis calling another time-out after the Lightning started with a 5-0 run to level the scores.

With Hinchcliffe and Ervin snaring vital intercepts and deflections, the visitors kept up their momentum to head into halftime with a 34-30 lead.

The third quarter was an even arm-wrestle, with Sunshine Coast holding a 48-45 edge at the final break.

But with everything to play for in the last, it was the Lightning who again took control, starting the term with a 7-1 run to secure victory.

The Vixens entered the match without Kate Eddy, who was on crutches and will miss several weeks after copping a knock during last week's 61-59 win over the NSW Swifts.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store