The Sunshine Coast Lightning have overcome an almighty scare to defeat the Giants 59-51, keeping their opponent’s Super Netball season winless at Ken Rosewall Arena.
After producing one of their best performances of the 2026 campaign in an agonising 56-54 defeat to the Adelaide Thunderbirds last round, the Giants looked to build on their momentum in Sydney on Sunday.
The home team stayed in contention against their star-studded opponents, and set up a thrilling finish when goal shooter Matisse Letherbarrow unleashed a Super Shot after the third period’s siren to tie scores at 42-all.
But in a stirring final quarter, Sunshine Coast kept their cool amid several Giants errors to steal the four points.
The loss comes as the club was celebrating its 10th anniversary, having been part of two grand finals but yet to win a title.
The result (0-6) won’t do them any favours in helping their chances of making this campaign’s postseason, as they sit at the bottom of the ladder.
Without their star attacker Lucy Austin (foot), Letherbarrow starred for the home side, nailing 31 goals from 35 shots and grabbing two gains.
For the Lightning (3-3), they snapped a two-game losing streak to move into fourth position on the ladder, although they were scrappy in conceding 24 turnovers.
Diamonds’ captain Liz Watson was usually busy with 24 feeds and 18 goal assists, while the inform Donnell Wallam racked up 53 goals from 55 attempts.
“It was a grind out there … So I just needed to back myself and put up the volume that I’m used to,” Wallam told Fox Sports.
“We just got to keep building on performances like today and learn to grind it out.”
The Giants conceded a series of early turnovers, but the home team stepped up to finish the quarter trailing by two goals.
Both teams exchanged goals in the second quarter, but Sunshine Coast kept their composure to lead 30-27 at halftime.
Tensions increased in the third period, and Letherbarrow’s composed shooting kept the home team in the contest.
The Giants gave away a handful of early turnovers to help their opponents take the ascendancy, and the Lightning held strong to win.
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