My first netball match - Loughborough Lightning v Strathclyde Sirens

I had never been to a netball match until today. I’m not sure why the reason for that is. Scheduling and access would have been a major factor but in truth, netball had been well off the radar. The success of the England side has done much to change much of that.

It is a big year for netball, and it was partly due to this and a fluke in my hockey sides fixtures that I could attend. One of the big draws with netball as a winter sport is that at the highest levels it is played indoors.

I have only been to cricket events in Loughborough and it would be good to broaden my horizons. I didn’t really know what to expect going into the game. A few messages to friends who play netball reassured me that I would soon pick up the gist of things.

I was told to look out for just how physical netball can be for a non-contact sport – a bit like hockey in that respect- it did lead to one of the umpires calling the captains together to calm things down just before half-time.

I don’t think it is any secret that I have a soft spot for one of the Loughborough Lightning franchises (no prizes for guessing which one) so it was the side I chose to support in their game against Strathclyde Sirens.

One of the most impressive features of the game was just how fast and accurate the passing was; even the warm-up drills were mesmerising, with players crisscrossing each other throwing the ball in the air at different angles.

With the game about to start the teams were introduced and in showbiz style, the Loughborough Lightning team were introduced in style with the lights dimmed and a video showing the intensity that the side was going to show magnified.

The game itself was a close affair for much of the first half. The Sirens matched the Lightning scoring almost blow for blow and in Cathrine Tuivaiti they had a figurehead. Tuivaiti was always eager to get the ball and showed some outstanding pieces of skill; she made passes without looking at the player she was passing to and getting it there, she had a few tricks up her metaphorical sleeves.

The Sirens looked the stronger of the two teams in the first-half but Loughborough Lightning ended each of the first two quarters the stronger and piped the first quarter 13- 12.

The Lightning had their own figurehead in Mary Cholhok who was awarded player of the match although Tuanine Keenan who grew in confidence throughout the game and shut out the threat of Tuivaiti for much of the second-half.

Along with Ella Clark Lightning was

hardly missing the net. Cholhok never looked like missing in the first three quarters and only started to waiver off target in the fourth quarter with the match as good as won; although, the crowd were still nervous with the lead never being more than 6 points ahead.

That was until the final five minutes and the Lightning started to pull away to win 60 – 49.

The players stayed around after the game to sign autographs and the home fans went away happy having not only having seen their heroes win but also getting their autographs and posing for selfies with them.