VU Western Lightning’s charge up the Victorian Netball League ladder slowed last week with the club’s loss to Boroondara Genesis by 27 goals.
A star-studded Genesis outfit, including Melbourne Vixens duo Erin Hoare and Joanna Weston, lined up for the match.
With Hoare shooting goals at one end and Weston stopping them at the other, the game was a tough ask for the injury ravaged Lightning.
VU was 10 goals behind at quarter-time and 18 at the main break.
Despite the big margin, Sophie Gunn continued to work hard for the Lightning.
Gunn, who could only play half the match because of an injury sustained the week before, provided an important boost for her side.
She scored 16 goals from 20 attempts to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the Lightning.
But there was no slowing Genesis, which added another 25 second-half goals to its tally to secure a 66-39 win.
VU co-coach Robyne Dawson said there were still some positives for her side despite the loss.
“We are really focusing on what we can take away from the game,” she said.
“Dani Stewart was awesome. She is just such a little general.
“The leadership she shows is fantastic. She just works so hard and is always encouraging the other players.”
Lightning is in seventh place on the ladder, six points outside the top four.
Despite the loss and a busy schedule that will see the Lightning play three games in the space of a week, Dawson remains confident her side can push into the finals, with training becoming more short and sharp.
“We have certainly changed our focus from physical to more on the tactical side to deal with that schedule,” Dawson said.
“We can still make finals and we still want to make finals. That is our goal.”
Liam Twomey
