Sunshine Coast Lightning have continued their flying start to the 2021 Super Netball season after defeating the Melbourne Vixens 56-51 at John Cain Arena to leave the reigning premiers winless after two rounds.
The Vixens made a horror start to Sunday s clash between two of the league s most successful franchises and the Lightning looked set to record a lopsided victory after charging ahead by 14 goals in the third quarter.
Malawi international Mwai Kumwenda inspired a fourth-quarter revival to cut the margin to five goals in the closing minutes but it was not enough to prevent the Vixens from losing their opening two games for the first time in the Super Netball era.
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In their first three seasons, the Sunshine Coast Lightning played in all three grand finals, including winning the first two titles. Last season, the Lightning lost in the preliminary final.
The Lightning have some big shoes to fill with the retirement of New Zealand Silver Ferns legend, Laura Langman. Langman was in the top five in the competition in 2020 for goal assists with 255.
The Lightning have made an astute recruitment to help fill the void left by Langman. They have recruited Mahalia Cassidy from the Queensland Firebirds.