Lightning A and Rezzers strike when it matters

As if trying to one-up reigning champions Rezzers Green’s 51-30 victory over Lightning B, the latter’s A team defeated third-placed Blaze 58-28 in the next of two semi-finals that unfolded on Tuesday night.

Those two winners will contest the inaugural Premiership final on Beau Sejour’s show court next Wednesday – and who wins is anyone’s guess.

‘I’m really pleased to progress to the final – that was the aim all season,’ Lightning A captain Donna Brehaut said in a sentiment that will be shared by both sides.

‘I really look forward to next week.’

For Lightning A to dominate their semi to that extent would have appeared a stretch earlier this season, as a Blaze side with full availability takes some beating.

That is the key word – availability.

Blaze entered this Grammar School duel missing no fewer than five regular starters.

But among their replacements were two promising teenagers from Sarnians, with whom they are due to merge next season.

C Sophie Taylor and tall circle defender McKenzie Rich held their own, the latter earning player of the match, yet the hastily-prepared new unit could not truly challenge the title contenders.

Lightning started modestly to win quarter one 13-7.

But they struck a lengthy scoring run in the second as Lorna Hall and Sammie Cox excelled at the back, while slick passing and feeding enabled their moving shooters to overcome the height advantage of Blaze defenders Ella Staples and young Rich.

By half-time Lightning led 31-12, giving them even more space to utilise options like young shooting talent Immy Giles.

Tireless WD Bonita Le Noury earned POM for the winners after they continuously pulled away to the finish.

‘We knew Blaze have been struggling with availability, so it was nice to see some younger players on court today and they definitely held their own,’ Brehaut said.

‘We managed to play quite a few combinations today. We managed to use our bench, rotate to get everybody on court, and I feel like the whole squad was really part of that win.

‘I think Blaze definitely held their own, especially with the juniors they had, and that’s a sign for the future.’

Deputising Blaze captain Zola Saunders shared the praise for Taylor and Rich.

‘It’s their first game in the Prem and their first time playing with us, or even meeting us, so they did really well ­– really pleased with them,’ Saunders said.

‘We just went out to have fun, as we knew we could not compete for a win and we wanted to enjoy our last game as Blaze.’

Although Rezzers had blitzed quarter one last week against Lightning B, this rematch started in slower fashion.

Rezzers crept to a 10-5 quarter lead as they struggled around Lightning’s tight defence – led initially by Rose Haysom and Lou Pinchemain.

The underdogs also benefited from POM Emily Kendal’s excellent long-range shooting.

Nevertheless, Rezzers found their feet and stormed to a 28-14 lead at half-time.

Lightning held their own in quarter three, allowing Rezzers to inch ahead by only one goal. That made it 38-23.

Rezzers lost further momentum through an ankle injury to starting GD Erin Sullivan – who shared POM with Abby McCracken – but summoned a strong finish nevertheless.

Pleased to win as ever, Rezzers captain Tiff Gervaise-Brazier highlighted her side’s releasing of the ball in quarters two and four as a strong point.

As for the upcoming final?

‘We just take every week as it comes,’ she said. ‘Sometimes we do not have everyone available, but we have shown we’ve got lots of depth in our squad.

‘Morale in the squad is really good – we’re really positive.’

Meanwhile, Lightning B captain Hayley Brehaut was justified in claiming it felt closer than the scoreline.

She credited her whole squad for their superb season. ‘It’s been a real squad effort here, with everybody getting a decent amount of playing time, and we’ve gone from strength to strength,’ she said.

‘Beating Blaze [in January] was the highlight, and beating Rezzers B twice to make the semis – that was our biggest goal.’