By LIAM TWOMEY
CITY West Falcons got the better of cross town rival VU Western Lightning by one goal in the Victorian Netball League last week.
Lightning was left to rue a slow start around the ring, shooting at just 59 per cent during the first quarter. At the other end of the court, City West was on fire with Julia Knott and Maggie Lind shooting a combined total of 12/12 to open up a five-goal lead.
The margin was quickly reeled in during the second term as the Lightning rallied.
With the scores level going into half time, both teams had chances to break the game open during a third quarter which featured an unusually high number of turnovers.
As the game went down to the wire, it was City West which came out on top, making the most of its chances around the ring to clinch the one-goal win.
“Once you are level going into the last quarter, it is really up for grabs,” Lightning coach Matt Hills said.
“I think it was just a lack of adhering to our structures when we are playing quality opposition. We made some poor decisions at critical times.
“Normally, you might have one of those, but to have four coming out of our back end was highly unusual with the quality of players we have got there.
“We played a team who played well and is well coached and who stuck to their game plan very well throughout the whole game.”
It was a quick turnaround for the Lightning which played again last night against DC North East Blaze as the curtain raiser for the Melbourne Vixens match at Hisense Arena.
