Diamonds trio leads Lightning's blitz of the Firebirds
Diamonds trio Cara Koenen, Liz Watson and Courtney Bruce led the charge as Sunshine Coast Lightning blitzed Firebirds 72-62 to claim the Queensland Cup and Battle of the Bruce.
Bruce, playing her 150th Super Netball game, was dynamic in the defensive circle and really proved a menace to Emily Moore and Mary Cholhok. The keeper had 12 deflections and seven gains.
Watson controlled the midfield alongside Leesa Mi Mi - her workrate was second to none. The midcourter had 26 goal assists and 19 centre feed receives.
While Cara Koenen didn't miss a shot all night.
Firebirds tried to stay in the fight - but repeated turnovers led to their seventh consecutive loss.
The two Queensland sides were fairly evenly matched in the first quarter with both teams having the lead at some point.
It really amped up in the Super Shot period with Firebirds swapping out Mary Cholhok for long range shooter specialist Abigail Latu-Meafou.
The move paid off with Latu-Meafou netting two of her three super shots. Lighting's defence, led by Bruce, worked hard to keep the super shooter away from the long range area. It produced a crucial turnover which led to Steph Fretwell sinking a super shot in the final seconds of the quarter to put Sunshine Coast ahead 18-17 at the first break.
Firebirds defenders Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Isabelle Shearer forced Fretwell and Koenen to get creative in the second quarter - slowing the shooting rate but not halting it.
The damage on the scoreboard could have been far greater were it not for Latu-Meafou netting another two super shots.
But it just wasn't enough to catch up to the fast-moving Lightning side who took a 37-33 lead into half time.
Lightning really hit the accelerator in the third quarter outshooting Firebirds 20-13 to take an 11 point lead into the final break.
Firebirds staged a comeback in the final quarter, getting some quick goals on the board much to the delight of the 4666 strong crowd at Nissan Arena.
But clawing back an 11 goal deficit in a single quarter was always going to be a big ask.
Firebirds did hang on to win the final quarter 16-15 but Lightning took the game 72-62
Mi Mi means business
Leesa Mi Mi was everywhere tonight - her darting runs created plenty of opportunities for the Lightning.
Mi Mi had ticked the box in the gains, deflections and intercepts columns on the stat sheet.
She created plenty of opportunities with 14 goal assists.
The agile centre worked really well with Liz Watson - signalling what could become a key link up for the Diamonds in the near future.
Firebirds need a spark
The Firebirds are now on a seven game losing streak and it is going to take a lot to snap them out of it.
We got a glimpse of what the Firebirds can do in the final quarter - where they staged a comeback. But they need to win more than one quarter if they want to get a win on the board.
Cholhok has been a key addition under the post but the costly turnovers in the midcourt are hampering her shooting rate.
They just seemed out of touch with the very clinical Lightning side.
Firebirds have a tough game next week against Thunderbirds but a win would give them a massive confidence boost and could reignite their season. A few consecutive wins and other results going their way and Firebirds could still be playing finals netball.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
- Daily Telegraph
2025 Peter Mulholland Cup live stream: Erindale College v St Dominic's College, Round 2
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby League Live Stream. Followed categories will be added to My News. While a comfortable round 1 victory caught the eyes of many, Erindale College coach Jordan Macey knows his side can't rest on just one performance. The 42-10 win over Illawarra Sports High School stamped Erindale as an early Peter Mulholland Cup title contender, with another win over St Dominic's on Wednesday a chance to further enhance their premiership credentials. The round 2 matchup will be available live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 12.45pm. 'We are all pretty pumped to get back on the field,' Macey said of Wednesday's game. 'It was a good win first up but there's a few areas we want to improve on because St. Dominic's are a very good team, so it's going to be a good challenge.' While stopping short of delving into the key areas of improvement spoken about behind closed doors, Macey was hoping they would also be able to replicate a lot of what worked against Illawarra. Action from the St Dominic's College (Blue) v Bass Hill HS in round 1 of the Peter Mulholland Cup. Picture: Tim Hunter. 'We're definitely not the biggest side in the competition, so we're just going to have to work really hard in the method areas and just staying connected as a group,' he said. 'I think we stuck to the game plan (against Illawarra), which was really good. And we are probably going to have to do that again to beat St. Dominic's. 'They've got a good team and they've got a good connection. I guess they all play a lot in that (Penrith) Panther system and they've got some really good individual players as well that we've identified and just have to make sure we do a good job on.'
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Australia confident of dealing with desperate Saudi Arabia in FIFA World Cup qualifier
The Socceroos are preparing themselves for an early onslaught from a Saudi Arabia side desperate for a quick goal on Wednesday morning to maintain belief that a miracle can be achieved in Jeddah. The Saudis must score at least five goals to have any chance of securing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification at Australia's expense. 'The first 15 minutes is going to be the time for them to pile the pressure on us, to make us nervous, make us sweat and see if they can get ahead of us in the game,' Socceroos defender Jason Geria said. 'The longer the score remains nil-nil, the less motivation they will (have). 'In the opening 15 minutes, if we were to concede a goal, things could get a bit hairy, but at the same time, I think our defence has shown over these past few games that we're capable of keeping any team out.' The Socceroos have only conceded one goal in their past three matches and secured a second successive clean sheet in their 1-0 win over Japan last Thursday night in Perth. They also kept the Saudis scoreless in a 0-0 draw when the teams met in Melbourne in November. 'We're expecting a very attacking, hellbent, relentless Saudi Arabia, but we've played them before,' Geria said. 'We know they attack and know how they can be vulnerable as well. 'We're all approaching this game as if we have to win. That's going to be the mindset from the start of the game, regardless of not conceding whatever amount of goals. 'We're here to win. Our job's not finished. We don't have our (World Cup) tickets yet. Until that's the case, there's no room to take our foot off the pedal.' Geria, 32, admits it's 'crazy' to even contemplate he could play at a World Cup next year. The former Melbourne Victory star, who now plays for Japanese top-flight club Albirex Niigata, made his debut for the Socceroos in June 2016 in a 1-0 friendly win over Greece in Sydney. However, it seemed that was going to be his only cap until the appointment of his former Victory coach, Tony Popovic, as Socceroos boss in September last year. Geria has featured in each of Popovic's seven games in charge of the national team, starting in four of them. 'Coming back into the national team after eight years is always something that I wanted to do, but I didn't always think it was possible,' he said. 'Luckily, I was given that opportunity to do so. I'm just really grateful and feel really privileged to be a part of this group and a part of this journey. 'It's something really incredible, being able to help qualify the country for a World Cup – although the job's not finished yet.'
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Cummins can't resist sly sledge as Aussies booted from Lord's
Pat Cummins has taken a sly dig at the Poms on a bizarre day where the Aussie team was booted from Lord's just days before the World Test Championship final. The Australian captain was in fine form as he fronted TV cameras ahead of Australia's one-off Test against South Africa at the home of cricket, beginning Wednesday night. Australia's preparations hit a bump on Saturday with revelations players were forced to make a three-hour trip to find an appropriate training venue after being informed the famed Lord's ground was not available for training sessions. However, Code Sports reports the Australian camp was told the ground was not available, despite Indian players being given permission by Lord's authorities to use the venue for a training session. Watch England vs India Test Series LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports| New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. The Indian team was given the permission at Australia's expense, despite India's Test series against England not beginning until June 20. The two teams do not face off at Lords until July 10 — the third Test of the series. Aussie players were finally given access to the venue on Sunday. The snub didn't appear to ruffle Cummins' feathers when he spoke on Network 10's The Project on Sunday night from inside the stadium. The fast-bowler was asked about the shocking scenes of Australian players being verbally abused the most recent time the Test side played at the venue, during the fiery 2023 Ashes series. Usman Khawaja was pulled by one MCC member as the Australian team returned to the dressing room following the session of play where Alex Carey dismissed Jonny Bairstow via a run out. Cummins' response said it all. You can watch the clip in the video player above 'I think this is the best version of the stadium this morning,' he said. 'There's no one around, which is great. I'm sure it will be much more civil this time around. 'Things got pretty heated in the middle of that Ashes series, but I think a lot of them will have learned their lesson and I'm sure they'll be very polite.' One MCC member was expelled from the club and two more members of the exclusive club were handed lengthy suspensions for the verbal abuse directed at Cummins and his team. The 32-year-old said he hopes he crowd will be cheering in Australia's favour this time because of the population of Aussie ex-pats living in London. Cummins will lead the Aussie attack against South Africa, surrounded by the usual suspects of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon. Code Sports reports, Hazlewood's selection means Scott Boland will miss out. According to the report, Aussie selectors are planning to promote Marnus Labuschagne to open the batting with Usman Khawaja — meaning Sam Konstas will be dropped from the XI. Selectors have made the move in order to squeeze all-rounder Cameron Green into the batting line-up. The selection of Beau Webster will take the pressure of Green, who appears likely to plat at Lord's as a specialist batsman. Aussie coach Andrew McDonald said last month Green was even being considered as an option to open the batting with Khawaja. 'He could bat anywhere,' McDonald said of Green, not hiding his excitement at the boom batter's brilliant return from career-saving back surgery. 'He could be three, he could be five, he could be six, he could open. 'I think he's got the temperament, the skillset, the defensive play as well. The higher up you go defensive skills are a priority, and he's got all bases covered. He plays the short ball well. 'You're not going to get a negative word from the coach about Cameron Green.' Meanwhile, Cummins has enjoyed a slightly different build-up to Test duties with the popular captain spotted chin-wagging with star presenter Jeremy Clarkson. Cummins last week spent time with the former Top Gear host at his picturesque farm property in the Cotswolds, a popular English holiday destination. The 1000-acre farm property is the scene of the TV presenter's Clarkson's Farm reality TV series. Cummins has told The Herald Sun, he is a fan of the show, which shows Clarkson attempting to turn a small property into a successful farming business.
