Diamonds shooters Cara Koenen and Steph Wood have put on a first-half clinic to set up the Sunshine Coast Lightning’s 65-55 Super Netball away win over the Queensland Firebirds.
Lightning won the inaugural Queensland Cup and took derby bragging rights as they went to 2-0 and the Firebirds dropped to 0-2.
The Firebirds were unable to slow the speed of the Lightning’s ball movement and when the ball got into the circle, the visitors did not miss.
The Lightning made all 39 of their first-half shots, while the Firebirds converted just 67 per cent.
Overall, the Lightning shot at 95 per cent, as Koenen made 52 of 53 attempts and Wood 11 of 13, with the latter adding a game-high 25 assists.
Lightning surged away from the mid-point of the first quarter, turning a two-point lead into seven by quarter-time.
It was one-way traffic in the second, with Lightning outscoring the Firebirds 18-7 to build a 39-21 half-time lead.
It was a much more competitive game in the second half, as the Firebirds lifted their intensity, outscoring the Lightning 34-26.
Firebirds coach Bec Bulley made changes for the start of the second half and the home team lifted.
Kim Ravaillion was switched from centre to wing defence in place of Gabi Simpson, with Macy Gardner taking over at centre and Emily Moore replacing Mia Stower at goal attack.
Defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran was in the forefront of the revival, notching a game-high five interceptions and tallying six deflections.
The Firebirds won the third quarter 18-15 to trail 54-39 at three-quarter time and outscored Lightning 16-11 in the last.
Donnelll Wallam made 41 of 53 for the Firebirds, but her side shot just 73 per cent for the game and missed nine of their 12 two-point super shots.
AAP
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