Panthers started brightly, but a key interception from Beth Cobden and slick connections between Sammy Wallace-Joseph and Berri Neil helped Lightning settle. After Panthers’ landed the first supershot, Neil and Wallace-Joseph fought back and responded from range. Alice Harvey’s late intercept secured a 20–18 lead at the break.
The second quarter remained tight. Defensive pressure from Harvey and Shadine van der Merwe forced crucial turnovers, but Panthers edged in front briefly following the introduction of experienced distance shooter Gabby Sinclair. Wallace-Joseph kept Lightning narrowly ahead going into the half time break.
Jodie Gibson was introduced in place of Harvey for the second half and made an instant defensive impact, with Hannah Joseph, Nat Panagarry, and Beth Cobden controlling the midcourt. The intensity of the game heated up, with multiple tustles between Wallace-Joseph and Panthers' Coffey engaging the crowd at Sir David Wallace. Lightning stayed strong to lead 59–55 heading into the final quarter.
In a thrilling final quarter of netball, it was Shadine van der Merwe’s interception and a composed supershot from Ella Clark in the final minutes that proved decisive, as Lightning held firm for a crucial 72–68 victory.
Sammy Wallace Joseph was unanimously named both Long Tall Sally Fans’ Player and Experience Kissimmee Player of the Match.