Loughborough Lightning 65-53 Manchester Thunder: Loughborough Lightning strike twice in their second win against Manchester Thunder with a clinical performance

Photo from Loughborough Lightning Instagram

Loughborough Lightning struck again in dominant fashion, defeating Manchester Thunder 65–53 in Round 8 of the Netball Super League. In a high-stakes clash that echoed the 2023 Grand Final and their Round 1 meeting, Lightning showcased why they remain one of the league's most formidable sides, combining fierce defence with clinical shooting to secure back-to-back wins over their northern rivals.

The reigning champions dominated the super shot periods, netting 14 in total, and displayed sharp defensive intensity led by Player of the Match Shadine Van Der Merwe. Despite a bright start from Thunder and multiple changes throughout the game, inexperience in attack and unforced errors proved costly. Lightning's relentless momentum and composed shooting from Sammy Wallace-Joseph and Berri Neil helped them control the game and maintain their unbeaten record over Thunder this season.

How the Game Unfolded:

Loughborough Lightning started this evening's game strong, with Alice Harvey's defensive pressure being rewarded by Berri Neil, who netted the first goal of the match. However, it was the visitors who established a small lead after recovering from their initial centre pass loss, with Elmere Van der Berg utilising the baseline space to manage the attacking pressure for her side. 

Sammy Wallace-Joseph, who prior to this match had netted 20 two-point goals in her last four appearances, converted the game's first super shot to help reduce her team's deficit. With momentum on their side, Lightning capitalised on a turnover at the other end, with Berri Neil finding the space to land two successive super shots in a row, bringing the home side level before Wallace-Joseph scored another super shot in the dying seconds of the quarter. Lightning started off slowly but gained momentum during the super shot period, leading them to pull ahead of Thunder by two after the first 15 minutes. 

Q1: Loughborough Lightning 17-15 Manchester Thunder

Thunder made their first change with youngster Anya Williams replacing Shannon Mahlik in Goal Attack. Williams made an instant impact, scoring Thunder's second goal of the quarter to bring them back into the game. Lightning regained possession as Wallace-Joseph netted another, taking on the shooting load for the reigning champions. During this second quarter, Lightning managed the one-point time more efficiently than in the first, capitalising on unforced errors from Thunder, with Harvey making a significant impact in the defensive end. 

Within the super shot period, Lightning picked up from where they left off, with Wallace-Joseph extending their lead by seven. Berri Neil demonstrated her defensive efforts by intercepting a pass from Nicola Smith; however, Lightning struggled to access the circle edge, which resulted in a successful turnover from the visitors. Alice Harvey made a crucial tip-in at the circle edge as Thunder looked to play the ball around for a super shot attempt; however, her side was unable to capitalise on their keeper's defensive efforts. Wallace-Joseph successively converted the last play of the quarter with another super shot after a contact call against Josie Huckle, demonstrating her dominance in long-range efforts. 

The home side utilised the super shot in both quarters to extend their lead with a full-court team performance; Wallace-Joseph remained dominant in the Lightning circle, with Neil growing in confidence throughout the first half. However, Manchester Thunder saw their intensity and consistency shift despite the efforts of Karen Greig's side, with Amy Carter providing some crucial turnovers; however, the defensive pressure from Shadine Van Der Merwe on Anya Williams prevented the youngster from making an impact. 

Q2:  Loughborough Lightning 38-27 Manchester Thunder (21-12)

Heading into the third quarter, Thunder brought on Elia McCormick to help their defensive efforts. Van Der Merwe made an impressive intercept on the Thunder centre pass, shutting down their second-phase options, rewarded by Wallace-Joseph to continue Lightning's dominant lead. 

Within the third super shot period, the two sides both pushed for opportunities with end-to-end play but without the end product due to unforced errors and intercepts that weren't finished off by either team, with missed opportunities limiting scoring. Following a turnover from Harvey, Lightning played possession ball before Neil netted another two-point shot. The intensive play from Lightning forced a positional change for the Thunder attackers, who were put under sustained pressure. 

In a tightly contested third quarter, Thunder looked to bolster their defence, but Lightning maintained control throughout and utilised their dominant shooters.

Q3:  Loughborough Lightning 52-39 Manchester Thunder (14-12)

Heading into the final quarter, both sides made changes, with Loughborough bringing on Jodie Gibson (GD) and Ella Clark (GS). Thunder brought on Shannon Mahlik (GS) and Nicola Smith (WD) and moved Elia McCormick to Goal Defence. Following the changes, Thunder's attacking line became more efficient and reduced the gap to 8 within the one-point play, maintaining their momentum to stay in the game. However, this quarter was relatively quiet from both sides due to more unforced errors and misplaced passes. 

Ella Clark sparked momentum for Loughborough as she netted her first super shot of the game in the last super shot period before following up with another, demonstrating her confidence in long-range efforts. Within the last couple of minutes, Elmere Van der Berg scored another super shot, with the SPAR Protea capitalising on a more mobile attack and a contact against Alice Harvey. The home side was able to capitalise on a missed super shot from Thunder as Van Der Merwe gained another tip; the former Thunder defender was rewarded for her efforts by Ella Clarke, who settled the score with a one-point goal. Berri Neil sank the last goal of the game, just as the buzzer sounded, within the super shot zone, securing Lightning's sixth win of the season. 

Q4:  Loughborough Lightning 65-53 Manchester Thunder (12-14)

Player of the Match- 

Sky Sports named Loughborough Lightning's Shadine Van Der Merwe as their Player of the Match. The SPAR Protea was rewarded after her impressive defensive efforts. 

Next Fixtures-

Both sides are back in action next weekend, with Loughborough Lightning hosting Leeds Rhinos on the 10th and Manchester Thunder travelling to face Nottingham Forest on the 11th. 

Teams: 

Loughborough Lightning- Sammy Wallace-Joseph (GS), Berri Neil (GA), Hannah Joseph (WA), Nat Panagarry* (C), Beth Cobden (WD), Shadine Van Der Merwe (GD), Alice Harvey (GK)

Bench- Bella Baylis, Jodie Gibson, Ella Clark

Head Coach- Vic Burgess

Manchester Thunder- Elmere Van der Berg (GS), Shannon Mahlik (GA), Emma

Rayner (WA), Amy Carter* (C), Taylor Mckevitt (WD), Nicola Smith (GD), Josie Huckle (GK)

Bench- Indya Masser, Anya Williams, Elia McCormick

Head Coach- Karen Greig

*- Captains