Live stream: Melbourne Uni Lightning v North East Blaze, Victorian Netball League, Round 14

The Lightning’s impressive run of form has continued after they pulled off a come-from-behind win over fourth-placed North East Blaze. Watch the REPLAYS.

Melbourne University’s sensational run of late-season form has continued after a thrilling come-from-behind win over North East Blaze.

The Lightning sparked into action with a five-goal run at the start of the third term, to fight their way into the lead and outlast the Blaze 50-48 at the State Netball Centre.

The Blaze led by five goals at halftime, and had led by as many as six goals in the second quarter, after a fast start from the fourth-placed side.

CHECK OUT ALL THE REPLAYS BELOW

But they couldn’t keep up with the Melbourne University ball movement in the third term, with passes starting to stick after the break.

Mikaela Vaughn, who shot 27 goals from 34 attempts, played all four quarters in the shooting circle for the Lightning alongside partner in crime Claudia Mawson (23 goals).

The Lightning made it a double delight on Wednesday night with their 19 and Under side pulling off an impressive 14-goal win in the top of the table clash with the Blaze.

Both sides enterred the game equal on points, with only one loss this season, but the Lightning ended the night outright first with a strong 71-57 win.

REPLAYS

North East Blaze v Melbourne University Lightning (Championship)

North East Blaze v Melbourne University Lightning (Div 1)

North East Blaze v Melbourne University Lightning (19&U)

Preview: Lightning refuse to look back on sizzling run of form

Leaving the past behind them is what Melbourne University Lightning coach Tegan Hopkins is attributing to her side’s sizzling run of form.

The Lightning has defeated Geelong Cougars (third) and Boroondara Express (second) in its past two matches and Hopkins said it came as a result of her team’s ability to leave previous performances out of mind.

She isn’t restricting it to just losses either, Hopkins has urged her girls to leave the wins behind them as well to focus on each task at hand.

The Lightning (seventh) take on the currently fourth-placed North East Blaze on Wednesday, with the triple header to be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV.

WATCH THE TRIPLE HEADER LIVE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

While the Lightning sit eight points adrift of the Blaze, Hopkins was adamant a spot in the Championship finals remained up for grabs for her side, but it wasn’t on the team’s radar.

“I suppose we continue to look forward, we don’t necessarily look back on games we have struggled in,” she said.

“We just constantly look forward on what we can do and what we can achieve as a team.

“Yes, finals are certainly in sight, but it’s just about focusing on that game tomorrow and making sure we can work through our game plan.

“I think every game is tough, to be honest, we haven’t amped this game in particular because we have just come from a couple of really good wins against second and third.

Melbourne University Lightning are on a hot streak in the Victorian Netball League. Picture: Grant Treeby/NV

“We just go into every game knowing it’s going to be a tough game, an absolute grind.”

While a 19-goal victory over Express has injected belief into Hopkins’ group, she has indicated that belief “is just a word” and that actions will generate results.

“We had a really poor game against Boroondara the first game, and we reflected on it, but the focus again was we don’t look back on those poor games we have had,” she said.

“We rather focus on what we’re changing, what we’re doing really well and just focus on our roles on the court.

“The girls did that really well and they are feeling really good about how they’re playing, the brand of netball they’re playing.

“They’ve got confidence in themselves, so that’s really positive to see.

“Belief is so important, belief is something we talk about a lot but it is just a word, so we have to focus on the doing aspect and what that looks like.”

While the Championship game is expected to draw plenty of excitement, the final game of Wednesday’s triple header has just as much at stake.

The Lightning and Blaze are top of the table in the 19 and Under competition, with both sides on 12 wins and one loss after 13 rounds.

Only calculations, based off goal difference, separate the two sides, but after Wednesday night, one team will stand atop the league on their own.

It sets up a mouthwatering night of Victorian Netball League action with the first match starting at 7pm.