Lightning beat Fever in Super Netball

Title contenders Sunshine Coast Lightning have shaken off a wobbly start to notch up an impressive 64-50 Super Netball victory over the West Coast Fever at the USC Stadium.

The 14-goal margin suggested it was a stroll in the park for the Lightning, who moved up to second place on the leader.

But they had to overcome a sluggish start after an enthusiastic Fever took a shock 6-1 lead in the opening minutes, silencing the sellout crowd of 2061.

Some nice delivery work from wing attack Kelsey Browne repeatedly found shooter Caitlin Bassett and goal attack Stephanie Wood, who rewarded her clean supply with goals.

Fever defender Courtney Bruce did a good job early on Bassett but Woods went to work on the right side connecting with three straight baskets from range as the Lightning edged back to share the honours 13-13 at the end of the first quarter.

The Lightning took control of the second term with their defensive intensity and Brown again heavily involved in feeding balls to Bassett and Wood, who collected a swag of goals to open up a handy 31-24 halftime lead.

The Fever had trouble coping with the speed of Brown, centre Laura Scherian and wing defence Laura Langman, who combined across the court.

Fever shooters Kate Beveridge and Nat Medhurst toiled hard against the harassing defence of Lightning captain Geva Mentor and they managed to drop five unanswered goals in the third quarter to cut the deficit.

However, the Lightning started the final quarter nine goals up.

Wood, who scored most of her goals well away from the basket finished with 25 from 32 shots at 78 per cent.

"It was tough out there, they brought their A game," Brown, who copped some heavy hits, said.

"They were very physical and they were here to play."

The win keeps the Lightning in the battle with the Giants (whom they play in the final round on May 24) for second spot.