Loughborough Lightning 60-35 Worcester Wolves

Saturday May 7th 2022

By Kaleb Hanson

The Worcester Wolves fell to Loughborough Lightning 60-35 in what was an epic battle to end the regular season as well as their season series against one another. As Lightning strived to keep their 8-game winning streak going in front of their rocking crowd of 105 in attendance at the Netball Centre hopeful for an unbeaten regular season, the Worcester Wolves hope to put on a better performance than they did last week against Loughborough.

The Wolves got off to what was a tremendous start to the game with Hope winning the tip which allowed J. Loughlin to set up Bell after a smooth pick & roll action to score on the first possession. Despite trailing 8-2 early in the first, Worcester showed immense intensity on the defensive end, forcing Loughborough to use up large chunks of the shot clock. Wolves then matched their efforts on defence with going on an 8-0 run to take the lead. Wolves captain, Sarah Hope, had left her prints all over the quarter with points rebounds and assists going level 14-14 into the second quarter

Worcester started off the quarter with a 6-0 run, led by English with transition baskets after great team defensive stops. However, Lightning’s Robinson, stuned the Wolves defence with a zip pass to Griffiths to put an end to Worcester’s run. Despite many good looks inside from our Worcester side, Wolves couldn’t stretch their lead by converting them as Lightning clawed their way back into the game, making it a 2-point ball game to Worcester heading into the break.

The third quarter consisted of exciting plays from both teams, including a long midrange shot from Kayla Bell who was Wolves joint lead scorer on the night with ten points. Loughborough began to find their groove this quarter which was really fuelled by Worcester’s turnovers and early team foul trouble. The Wolves just couldn’t get the ball to fall as they created many great looks in the quarter, but the ball wasn’t bouncing their way, converting only 3 field goals in the period.

The final quarter saw Loughborough Lightning showcasing why they are sitting atop of the league unbeaten on the last day of the regular season, playing stifling defence from the start to the end of the quarter; forcing turnovers, 8-second and shot clock violations. By this point in the game, Lightning had seemed to figure out the Wolves defence where they began to score at will led by their captain Robin Love who captured yet another triple double in the season.

Despite a tough loss for the Wolves on the last day on the regular season, there are many positives that they can take from this game heading into the Play Offs. Captain Sarah Hope capped off the season with a double double 10 points and an impressive 16 rebounds. Hope leading her team with this effort is nothing short of encouraging heading into the post season. Worcester’s first half efforts against the league leaders proved that they can play offense at an elite level alongside stellar defence.

All eyes are now on the Play Offs with all to play for.