VNL: Lightning crashes top spot, two snapping at its heels

VU-Western Lightning has its nose ahead in the sprint to the Victorian Netball League finish line.

The Lightning has a tentative hold on top spot with a month to go in the regular season, but it will have all to play for with local rivals City West Falcons and the persistent Peninsula Waves snapping at is heels in the race for the minor premiership.

Tonight’s blockbuster between the Lightning and the Waves at the State Netball and Hockey Centre could go some way to determining which of these two quality teams will have the luxury of a finals double chance.

Lightning coach Matt Hills told the Weekly that after an inconsistent past month on the court, it’s time for his team to re-capture the steady form that saw them go on an eight game winning run from rounds three to 10.

“Looking at it right now, four weeks out, we should make finals, but we’re aiming to make the top two and it starts against Peninsula,” Hills said. “The next four weeks we’ve got some really challenging games and we’re looking forward to that.”

The Lightning returned to the top with a 50-31 win over Geelong Cougars on Wednesday night.