Phenomenal Peace sparks Lightning demolition job

SUNSHINE Coast coach Noeline Taurua has labelled the efforts of Peace Proscovia as phenomenal following a 23-goal trouncing of Collingwood Magpies.

Peace Proscovia of the Lightning catches the ball ahead of Magpies player Geva Mentor. Picture: Bradley Kanaris

NETBALL: Sunshine Coast coach Noeline Taurua labelled the efforts of Peace Proscovia as "phenomenal” after a 23-goal trouncing of Collingwood Magpies.

The Lightning came out firing to demolish Magpies 64-41 on Saturday in front of a boisterous crowd of 2982 fans at USC Stadium.

It was the Magpies lowest-ever score and a form of sweet redemption for the Lightning who suffered a tough loss to them in the opening round of Super Netball.

Peace Proscovia proved lethal under the hoop during the match, getting the better of Lightning's foundation player and Magpies goal keeper Geva Mentor to land 45 goals at 90 percent accuracy.

"When she is really strong in the circle and stays in the circle instead of running around outside then we've got a really strong foundation in that attacking end but also somebody we can let the ball go to,” coach Taurua said.

"I thought she did that really well and when she settled she was phenomenal.”

The 29-year-old Ugandan not only landed the shots but was busy picking up plenty of rebounds (5) as well to make the most of her side's attacking plays.

She even stunned the crowd by pulling off a cheeky pass to herself by throwing the ball at the goal post and subsequently netting the goal.

"It's one of those things she does and it's an x-factor and it's amazing when it comes off,” Taurua said.

Proscovia said the Lightning had brought their "A game” on Saturday and were more prepared for their second battle with Magpies.

"It was an awesome game by the team and I believe every individual player learned the lessons from the first time we played Magpies,” Proscovia said.

"I have this slogan 'you never lose but you learn a lesson' so we learned a lesson and picked up forward.”

After only playing one quarter last week Proscovia was "grateful” to play a full game and pleased to win her battle with goalkeeper Mentor.

"I can't undermine the strength of Geva, she is such a brilliant defender but to play against her you have to plan your game properly and I had to read her properly in order to come into this game,” she said.

Defence was also dominant for Lightning with Karla Pretorius getting MVP of the match.

She was a force repelling Magpies attacking plays, landing six intercepts.

"I thought she did an awesome job and that showed in the stats where she cut the connections down and they didn't get much ball to be able to shoot,” Taurua said.

"I was really happy with Phumza (Maweni) as well at the back and I thought she created a lot and she was able to contest up in the air and I think that combination is starting to come along quite nicely.”

Taurua was hopeful they could maintain the form against West Coast Fever before heading into the mid-season break for the Netball World Cup.

"I thought there was some amazing plays that we did and it's good to set us up for next week to finish this half of the season off,” she said.