Loughborough Lightning beat Team Bath in Vitality Superleague
Monday 6 March 2017 22:29, UK
Loughborough Lightning won the battle of perfect records with a 47-41 victory over Team Bath on Monday night.
Both teams came into the game with two wins from their opening two games and in a tight contest it was the visitors who prevailed, finishing the stronger to claim the three points that keeps them level with Surrey and Wasps as the early pacesetters.
Lightning were indebted to Player of the Match Vanessa Walker for securing victory and while their will be disappointment for Anna Stembridge and Bath both teams will expect to be in the shake up for the top four and the play-off places at the end of the season.
As expected the early exchanges were keenly contested Chelsea Lewis key to a fast start from the hosts who led 5-2 early on, but with Lightning fighting their way back into it, Walker's goal on the buzzer ensured it was the visitors who held the narrowest of leads at the end of the opening 15 minutes.
It was more of the same through a physical second 15 minutes, with neither side able to pull clear until the crucial final minutes of the half.
After Bath had their noses in front for much of the first quarter, led by Welsh shooter Chelsea Lewis, who scored 22 goals on the night, it was Lightning's attacking presence of Walker and Peace Proscovia to made their own threat count.
Lightning saw both ends of the court provide the pivotal moments with Vicky Oyesola and Jo Trip crucial in defence to keep out the hosts allowing Proscovia and Walker to open up a five goal advantage at the break.
Team Bath rallied to win the third quarter 14-10 to set up a dramatic conclusion and with one goal in it both teams had designs on the three points to maintain their fine starts.
Karen Atkinson's Loughborough managed to retain the narrowest of advantages until the final stages, when the returning Walker and Proscovia kept their cool to take the chances that came their way and secure a six-goal win that makes it three from three.
Up next for the Lightning is another perfect record, they take on Wasps at the Ricoh Arena next weekend while Team Bath make the short trip to face Severn Stars.
You can follow the Vitality Superleague season across Sky Sports, with the next instalment on Saturday from London's Copper Box where Surrey Storm host Hertfordshire Mavericks from 5.45pm on Sky Sports Mix
