Lightning to Strong or Wildcats

14th February 2008

Glasgow Wildcats 32 - 58 Loughboorouh Lightning

On a high after bagging their debut league win on Monday, Glasgow Wildcats were in for a tough Valentine's weekend date with Loughborough Lightning. The Co-operative Netball Superleague second best team have been in fine form this season with just the one defeat to Team Bath marring their stats. Beating Brunel Hurricanes away from home in last week’s televised game was bound to buck the spirits of the Wildcats, after all it meant they were off bottom of the table.

Lesley Macdonald, the Wildcats captain must have been hoping to reprise her match-winning role from Monday with another upset, however unlikely on paper. But the game started scrappily, both teams making unforced errors goal for goal until Loughborough began to take command of the court. Young England shooter Jo Harten's consistency helped the visitors to a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Lightning’s speedy attack and long feeds to the circle helped rattle up the goal tally with the Wildcats finding they were second best in the physical tussle through the mid-court and struggled to get points on the board. It was another good game for Glasgow’s stalwart wing defence Claire Brownie who helped frustrate Loughborough’s attacking style but it was an uncomfortable 18 goals that separated the sides at half-time.

Changes were made at the break for both teams for the Wildcats to try and stem the goal rush maybe Lightning had a chance to give the squad a run out perhaps and consider different options with the end of season play-offs the team’s next priorities. While the Glasgow girls had improved their shooting stats in the second quarter Loughborough’s consistency won the match in the end Jo Harten’s 85% success for the first 3 quarters of the match did the damage.

Playing the final quarter by the book gave Loughborough Lightning the chance to run more drills and complete a comprehensive win. Glasgow Wildcats coach Denise Holland looked to the positives "Although we struggled against Loughborough's strong defence and precision in attack, over 60 minutes we continued to contest and pressure throughout the court, raising our game in the second half."

GLASGOW WILDCATS

GS: Lesley MacDonald (capt), GA: Rachel Holmes, WA: Gail Higgins, C : Carlene Hamilton, WD: Claire Brownie, GD: Claire Cooper, GK: Hayley Mulheron

SHOOTING STATISTICS:

GS: Lesley MacDonald 24/32 = 75%, GA: Rachel Holmes 5/7 = 71%, GA: Nicola Collins 3/6 = 50%

LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING:

GS: Jo Harten, GA: Alex Kirk, WA: Natasha Hampshire, C: Olivia Murphy, WD: Jade Clarke (capt), GD: Kara Luck, GK: Hannah Reid

SHOOTING STATS:

GS – Jo Harten 41/52 = 79%, GA – Alex Kirk 10/14 = 71%, GA - Katy Rose 7/16 = 43%