Vitality Netball Superleague: Lightning’s unbeaten run ended by Thunder | Netball News

Manchester Thunder halted Loughborough Lightning’s perfect start to the 2022 season on Monday night 66-61 at the Sir David Wallace Arena; elsewhere in the competition, Surrey Storms pipped Celtic Dragons to victory by one goal

Loughborough Lightning lost their first game of the season on Monday (Image credit: Ben Lumley)

Loughborough Lightning’s unbeaten run came to a halt on Monday night after Manchester Thunder recorded a 66-61 victory at the Sir David Wallace Arena.

As a result of their defeat, Lightning now sit second in the Vitality Netball Superleague table, six points behind Thunder. Last year’s champions do have a game in hand though, after their first round match against Leeds Rhinos was postponed.

Victoria Burgess’ side will now head south to face London Pulse at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday afternoon, with the match streamed live on the Sky Sports YouTube channel.

Lightning’s trip to London marks the start of a two-match round, as they face Leeds Rhinos Netball on Monday night. Manchester Thunder faced Celtic Dragons on Saturday in Round 11.

With 12 out of the 14 starting athletes being senior internationals, the stage was set for an intense first quarter at the Sir David Wallace Arena, and both teams delivered.

Thunder claimed the first goal with England Vitality Rose Nat Metcalf again showing her versatility and staring at GA for Thunder. Lightning’s Mary Cholhok – who continues to be one of the leading goal-scorers in the competition – hit back shortly after.

Despite Lightning’s defensive line of Beth Cobden, Fran Williams and Beth Cobden looking to pressure the ball early, Metcalf’s speed and vision enabled Thunder to work quickly and efficiently. Karen Greig’s outfit duly established a 19-13 lead at quarter-time.

After the pause, Lightning regrouped well in front of their home fans. As an attacking unit, Cholhok, Ella Clark, Hannah Williams and Nat Panagarry worked cohesively to move the ball around the back of Thunder into the ideal position under the post.

Panagarry led by example and Clark’s mid-court turnovers further ignited the home side to narrow the half-time gap to 33-29 in Thunder’s favour.

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Watch the highlights from the encounter between Loughborough Lightning and Manchester Thunder

Lightning continued with the momentum they’d built at the start of the third quarter, bringing it back to 33-33 and going then ahead by one. The surge highlighted how potent they can be before Thunder found the right answers.

Head coach Greig made changes and Thunder responded in an impressive fashion. Eleanor Cardwell, who was introduced during the second quarter, moved to goal shooter with Metcalf back into goal attack.

Together they worked well, while the experience of Shadine van der Merwe and Kerry Almond continued to pay dividends out the back.

After edging the third quarter by a single goal, Thunder held Lightning to a drawn fourth quarter and duly handed the defending champions their first defeat of the new season.

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Listen to the thoughts of Manchester Thunder’s head coach Karen Greig

In the other encounter on Monday night, Surrey Storm made a late charge for victory to overcome Celtic Dragons by a single goal in Cardiff.

Storm had led 27-26 at half-time, before Dragons upped the ante during the third quarter and moved two goals in front at the final pause.

At the start of the final 15 minutes, early intercepts from Leah Middleton and Frankie Wells shifted the balance back in Storm’s favour and ultimately provided them with the slender cushion they needed to secure victory on the road.