English Netball Super League: Dragon Celtics 53-52 Loughborough Lightening
It took Chelsea Lewis’ outstanding performance including a last gasp goal at the game death for hosts, Dragon Celtics to overcome Loughborough Lightening in the English netball league encounter played at the Sports Wales National Center on Monday night.
The unerring accuracy of goal shooter Chelsea Lewis proved the key especially where it mattered most – at the game’s closing stages.
During the game’s opening, there was plenty of mid-court action and Loughborough’s Peace Proscovia put early points on the board after taking advantage of accurate feeds.
But the Dragons, roared on by a vociferous home support, refused to give ground and Lewis was also making her presence count as the score was tied at 14-14 at the end of the first quarter.
Wing Attack Bethan Dyke picked holes in Loughborough’s defence at the start of the second, with Lewis remaining a potent outlet, but Proscovia’s agility was posing problems in the opposite area and she kept Loughborough on course.
Emma Thomas sparked to life at Goal Attack and added useful points before her looping feed allowed Lewis to fire the Dragons into a 29-28 lead at half-time Into the third quarter, Loughborough produced a spirited response and the tenacious Vanessa Walker was linking up well with Proscovia.
But Dyke, a driving force in mid-court, continued to trouble the visitors with her range of passing and Lewis landed further goals to open up a 40-39 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Edging closer to an elusive win, the Dragons raised their tempo in the closing 15 minutes and Centre Suzy Drane sparked attacking moves with her quick hands.
With time ticking away, the ball was worked out to Lewis, who suitably sealed the points with a pin-point effort to spark emotional scenes of celebration.
Additional Report from Sky Sports News.