Harten on fire for Lightning

Loughborough Lightning kept the heat on Team Bath at the top of the CNSL table with a comfortable 58-32 win over Glasgow Wildcats.

Despite a morale-boosting win over Brunel Hurricanes in a bottom of the table clash last weekend, Wildcats were struck down by a professional Lightning side in Scotland.

Lesley Macdonald, the Wildcats captain was hoping to reprise her match-winning role from Monday with another upset, however it always looked unlikely on paper.

The game started scrappily, both teams making unforced errors goal for goal until Loughborough began to take command of the court.

Young England goal shooter Jo Harten was at her consistent best and that 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.

Different options

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 as the Wildcats attempted to stem the goal rush.

Lightning had a chance to give the squad a run out and assess different options with the end of season play-offs the team's next priority.

While the Glasgow girls had improved their shooting stats in the second quarter Loughborough's consistency won the match as Harten's 85 per cent success for the first three 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 after the match.

"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," she said.

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 stats: 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%.