Celtic Dragons joyfully welcomed Gabby Sinclair back in the squad after a calf injury has kept her on the sidelines since round 3.
The Cardiff based side kept the match to a one-goal-game in the first half of the first quarter, but Player of the Match Fran Williams dominated and continued to win ball for her Lightning attackers.
Dragons stayed in touch, but the second quarter saw Lightning put even more pressure on the home side; delaying and stopping them from finding their shooters in the circle.
A dominant second quarter from the top four team sent them confidently into the second half leading 34-24.
The defensive pressure from Dragons in the third quarter stepped up as they were delaying the Lightning attackers from getting the ball into Emma Thacker or Mary Cholhok, but the 2021 NSL Champions powered through and continued to build on their lead.
It isn’t a Dragons match without a dance from the goal keeper to celebrate a turnover. Shaquanda Greene-Noel celebrated her defensive efforts from her first pick-up to her last intercept against a strong Lightning team.
Loughborough Lightning showed why they are title contenders and continued to build on their lead despite Celtic Dragons building the pressure.
Greene-Noel’s defensive efforts were paying off she was continually winning ball for her team. Greene-Noel and her new defensive partner Ally Housley tried the infamous hoist, but it didn’t deter the Lightning shooters in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Lightning prevailed with a 65-48 win, cementing their fourth position in the Netball Super League table. Celtic Dragons play next against Team Bath on Friday 21st April at the Team Bath Netball Arena. Their next home game is against Saracens Mavericks for Pride Round! To get your tickets, click here – https://ethicalticketing.org/celtic-dragons/event/96181666
