A terrific Lightning show on final night

Rezzers Green entered Wednesday night’s decider with three consecutive Deloitte Winter League titles to their name, but their seemingly promising push for a fourth fizzled out in the dying minutes as a determined Lightning finally broke ahead and stormed across the line 34-29, bursting into jubilant celebration afterwards.

A suitably grand sense of occasion surrounded the top flight’s first pre-determined final.

Action took place on Beau Sejour’s show court, overlooked by brimming spectator areas, and an annual awards presentation rounded it out – making for probably the most galvanising netball event on Sarnian soil since before the Covid pandemic.

For all that buzz, Lightning got off to a tardy start.

Rezzers scored swiftly off their first centre pass, followed by a tentative answer by Lightning, after which the Greens strode to 4-1 ahead. GK Abby McCracken proved particularly formidable and her teammates duly capitalised on her stream of tips and turnovers.

Lightning’s defence also stood out, with GK Lorna Hall defying her position as court veteran to claim numerous rebounds, backed by an able partner in Sammie Cox.

But a more consistent Rezzers had earned their 10-6 quarter lead.

Lightning took their mission to equalise seriously, netting four on the bounce after resumption.

A raft of Rezzers changes – bringing the previously-absent Clare Henry into GS and shifting their centre court, giving tireless captain Tiff Gervaise-Brazier a more defensive role – then bore fruit as they reached half-time leading 18-14.

In quarter three Lightning continued pushing hard against a relentless Rezzers defence, rotating the centre court frequently to keep legs fresh, and made some headway.

Rezzers were just 24-22 ahead going into the final stanza – still all to play for.

First came the equaliser. Lightning put their bodies on the line in an especially physical finish, but their hustle paid off as they drew level at 25-all with under 12 minutes left.

Soon after came a stellar scoring run of seven goals.

Having come on in quarter two, 18-year-old Immy Giles proved instrumental in that critical run with a composed GS performance belying her youth.

The fast-ticking clock made it increasingly clear that Donna Brehaut’s side would be the one lifting the trophy – and with some exuberance.

‘Having been so close last year, to get it this year has been excellent,’ an elated Brehaut said.

‘Absolutely delighted with that – every single person put everything into it and I couldn’t have asked for more from the girls.

‘Everyone on court gave 100%.

‘I think the whole evening has been great. In all honesty we were slightly doubtful of play-offs, something that has never been done, but it has given an opportunity to play in front of family and friends with a full balcony, showcase the sport and have the awards also, making it a great occasion.’

Rezzers captain Gervaise-Brazier called it a ‘good game’ but highlighted the different dynamic of the play-offs.

‘That was the risk of the league, and we knew that was the risk of the league,’ she said.

‘Unfortunately, it was a game of three quarters and a bad quarter – we missed a couple of shots, made unforced errors and they capitalised.’

In a positive for future campaigns, the captain has welcomed the presence of juniors Harriet Savident, Emma Sykes, Erin Sullivan and Evie Robinson in their starting sevens this season.

‘The last three years, we had the same seven to 10 players,’ she said.

‘The younger players have played through the season and they have really shone.

‘It was ours to lose at the end of the day, but congratulations to Specs [Lightning].’

As former Panthers captain, Gervaise-Brazier added of her first big game on the show court in over three years: ‘Amazing atmosphere – there’s a huge amount of netball support, which is amazing for the sport.’