Surrey Storm Netball recorded their 4th straight Superleague win on Saturday evening with a convincing 48-68 win over Loughborough Lightning.
A storming 2nd quarter for the visitors handed them an unassailable lead at the half time break in a game which allowed Coach Greenway to once again exercise her options from the bench.
Greenway returned to the starting 7 alongside Mikki Austin and Katy Holland after a reshuffle in Storm’s last home match against Celtic Dragons, while Lightning named a familiar starting line-up including imports Maryka Holtzhausen, Peace Proscovia and Phumza Maweni.
Storm started the meeting the quickest, stretching to a 1-4 lead during the opening phases. Loughborough were quick to pull back and not allow their guests too much time on the ball to increase their lead, as goals were exchanged at either end until Austin picked up a mid-court turnover to turn the momentum in Storm’s favour, ending the quarter at 14-17 to Surrey.
Again the visitors raced out of the blocks to begin the 2nd quarter, increasing the lead to 8 then 12 goals with a succession of turnovers. Despite the advantage, play was still scrappy from both sides but the persistence and accuracy from the Storm shooters, notably Pamela Cookey who shot 100% in the first half, ensured that Storm built a hefty 20-38 lead at the midpoint of the tie thanks to 21 goals in 15 minutes.
Quarter 3 opened with a goal for goal period, before Cookey pulls out an exceptional interception which Storm launch forward to score and break the early deadlock. Both sides secured turnovers as the quarter progressed but Storm edged the period by a single goal as the visitors took a 35-54 lead into the final period.
Storm rung in the changes to close out the match as Josie Huckle, Amy Flanagan, Georgia Lees, Laurelle Borck and Kat Hayes all arrived on court for a selection of wholesale changes. Still Surrey dominated the play, despite few early errors, with Huckle controlling the defence and preventing Lightning from reducing the deficit. A fine away performance from Surrey was rewarded on the final whistle as they took the win 48-68.
Surrey Storm return to Surrey Sports Park this Saturday to take on Team Northumbria in round 6 – the final match before Netball London Live takes centre stage on Saturday 7th March at London’s Copper Box Arena.
[Pictured: England captain Pamela Cookey shot with 100% accuracy during Saturday’s clash with Loughborough Lightning]
