This excellent report just in of a close Netball Superleague match from CountDavid, our man at the match.

Just one point separated Brunel and Loughborough in the league table before the match started, so a win was important for both teams: Loughborough wanted to maintain their position and Brunel wanting to gain 2nd place. The scene is set for a great match.

Both teams started off cautiously with the score balancing evenly for the first 7 or 8 minutes. Loughborough then powered away to take the first quarter 14-7.

Brunel?s coach Denise Holland made a change putting Katie Nicols on as Centre. That, together with a team chat made the difference to Brunel who worked hard to recover. A 12-7 quarter to Brunel brought them back to within 2 at half time.

(21-19)

Strong defensive work co-ordinated by Sonia Mkoloma and athletic work by Chioma Ezeogu at WA were the highlights. Chioma?s high takes of ball and great interceptions spurred the Brunel team on.

Brunel took the 3rd quarter 8-14 to pull in front to 33-29.

Both teams came out firing on all cylinders for the final quarter, with Loughborough recovering to bring the score level at 38 all with about 3 minutes to go. However they could not hold on and again great mid court work by Chioma kept Brunel in the game and they pulled forward to take the game 44-39

It was difficult to select a player of the match as so many were terrific. The mid court was particularly active and fast for both sides, but for me it was probably Chioma.

You can see more photos from the match at www.fotoccompli.com.