Netball Super League | Loughborough Lightning take the win in the first match of the 2022 season

Match Details

5th February 2022

Round 1 & 2

Resorts World Arena

Match Results

Watch On: Broadcaster Logo

First Centre Pass

Natalie Panagarry Loughborough Lightning View profile

Team Stats

Performance Stats

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Performance Stats

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Olivia Tchine reaches for the ball at the Season Opener in Birmingham (Image: Morgan Harlow)

Olivia Tchine stretches for London Pulse at the Season Opener in Birmingham (Image: Morgan Harlow)

For the first match of the 2022 Season Opener, London Pulse faced Loughborough Lightning in a highly contested match.

The match started off extremely close with a goal for goal first quarter, Pulse's defensive combination of Funmi Fadoju and Jasmine Odeogberin putting the Lightning shooting circle under constant pressure. Both teams displayed slick attacking however Loughborough managed to score 3 without reply, resulting in a score of 14-11 at the end of the first quarter.

Loughborough Lighting responded strongly to the pressure London Pulse were putting on them and used their authority to widen the gap, capitalising on the errors that Pulse were creating. In a bid to change the momentum Ashleigh Dekker and Kira Rothwell entered the action and there was an immediate impact as Lightning had to reorganize and figure out how to adapt to the new change. However, Lightning had the momentum on their side and used this to their advantage, allowing them to push on and finish up by 11 for a final score of 31-20 at the end of the second quarter.

A huge third quarter was required, and the London side were not going down without a fight. They came out reenergized and within minutes there was a massive rebound from Funmi Fadoju. Quick transition meant that the ball was brought down swiftly by Ashleigh Dekker and Tayla Honey, whose placement into Olivia Tchine was perfect. In defence Fadoju, Odeogberin, Dekker and Everitt continued to put massive pressure on the Lightning attack.

Lightning's formidable defence were not backing out, but London Pulse attack kept persevering. The final quarter was intense as both teams were pushing on trying to make it to the finish line. However, it was a little too late for London Pulse in terms of the score line as Lightning had maintained their 10-goal lead, resulting in a final score of 61-51.

Match report provided by London Pulse

Buy tickets to London Pulse's home games at London's Copper Box Arena here and buy tickets to Loughborough Lightning home games at the Sir David Wallace Arena here.

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Tags:

Loughborough Lightning London Pulse