THE race for the Suncorp Super Netball top four has never been closer, with the surging Sunshine Coast Lightning putting the Adelaide Thunderbirds, featuring Shoalhaven product Kaitlyn Bryce, to the sword 75-44 at Priceline Stadium on Sunday.
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Not only did the Lightning claim all eight points for winning all four quarters, they boosted their percentage significantly and put themselves right in the frame for a run at finals.
The result leaves last year's premiers equal on competition points with the fourth-placed Queensland Firebirds but just a couple of percentage points behind.
It was dominance from start to finish for the Lightning, who outplayed the Thunderbirds in every aspect of the match.
They forced 31 turnovers, intercepted the ball 12 times and enjoyed 56 per cent of the possession.
Centre Laura Scherian had a huge game with 25 assists and three intercepts while wing attack Kelsey Browne was involved in everything, claiming Nissan MVP honours.
While the Thunderbirds have nothing left to play for but pride, the Lightning had to win to keep their finals hopes alive following the Firebirds' shock win over the Fever on Saturday night.
The match was also the 50th appearance for Lightning goal attack Steph Wood in the national league.
It was a tentative start from both sides, but the Lightning soon grabbed control and moved out to a 7-3 lead.
The Thunderbirds but struggled to hold onto the ball at the other end, with five possession changes and five turnovers midway through the quarter.
The Thunderbirds elected to start with star Cat Tuivaiti - easing her way back from injury - on the bench and struggled to find penetration in attack, with Shimona Nelson losing control of the ball numerous times in a nervous start.
Goalkeeper Geva Mentor had two intercepts for the Lightning by quarter-time as the visitors took a commanding 20-11 lead into the first break.
The march continued in the second quarter, with the Lightning going on a 10-4 run by the halfway point of the term to stamp their authority on the match.
The visitors had 28 assists to 14 as they penetrated the goal circle with ease.
It was another dominant quarter from the Lightning, winning the term 20-9 and taking an overall 40-20 lead into the half-time break.
The Thunderbirds brought Bongi Msomi into wing attack while switching Leana de Bruin and Kate Shimmin in defence in a bid to slow the run of goals, which paid dividends initially as they matched the Lightning for the first five minutes of the third quarter.
The resistance was shortlived, though, with the Sunshine Coast taking the quarter 18-10 and boasting an unassailable 26-goal lead heading into the final term.
That gave Lightning coach Noeline Taurua the luxury of injecting Cara Koenen into the match in place of Caitlin Bassett at goal shooter for the final quarter, while Mentor was rested for Erena Mikaera, and Jacqui Russell brought on at wing defence.
