VNL: VU-Western Lightning back to winning ways

VU-Western Lightning is breathing a sigh of relief after snapping a worrying two-game losing skid with a comfortable 61-42 win over cellar-dweller Ballarat Pride in the Victorian Netball League championship at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday night.

The Lightning reclaimed its place in the top four and proved it can get the job done in the absence of star goalkeeper Fiona Themann.

Themann has relocated to Scotland on her dual-citizen passport in a bid to be part of that nation’s Commonwealth Games team. “I’m really rapt for her and proud of her,” Lightning coach Matt Hills said. 

“She’s taken 12 months off from her school teaching and is living the dream.” 

Meanwhile, the Falcons made it seven-from- seven with a 53-34 win over Southern Saints at the SNHC.

The Falcons again used three goaler options, with Kath Knott (23-from-27), Alice Teague-Neeld (20-from-21) and Julia Woolley (10-from-13) all earning their court time.