Despite holding a one-point lead going into the final quarter, Lightning were edged out by a determined Forest side led by South Africa’s Rolene Streutker, who scored 38 goals. A late chance from Ella Clark to force extra time narrowly missed, sealing the result.
Despite the narrow loss, there were plenty of positives for Lightning to take from the performance. Shadine Van Der Merwe stood out in defence, consistently disrupting Forest’s attack with her anticipation and coverage. Her effort across the court was key in keeping Lightning in the game.
Jodie Gibson was also impressed with her all-around contribution. She applied pressure defensively while helping to initiate attacking phases. Her control in key moments helped Lightning stay in touch when Forest looked to take control.
Head Coach Vic Burgess said: "We're not happy, we don't want to be on the losing side.
"We've got to go back to the drawing board and be prepared to put in the work and not be in this position again. Great game."
Next up, Lightning return home to Sir David Wallace on Loughborough campus as they take on Cardiff Dragons on Saturday 12th April.