Lightning need to strike in third quarter

The Sunshine Coast Lightning returned to the Super Netball summit with victory over the Adelaide Thunderbirds but know they have to tackle their third-quarter slumps if they are to retain that mantle.

Though the Lightning have won seven and drawn one of their nine games, they have won the third quarter on just three occasions and against the Thunderbirds on Saturday that period saw their advantage reduced from 12 points to two.

To their credit when challenged the Lightning pulled away once more to end the night 59-50 victors.

"It wasn't as pretty as we would have liked," the Lightning's Madeline McAuliffe said.

"Coming out of the bye week we knew it would be a bit tough getting our timing and connections back.

"As a team the third quarter is something that we need to work on, coming out of halftime. We'll go into this week and know we'll have to work on it in training."

South African international Karla Mostert, who returned for the final quarter after being withdrawn at halftime, feels the team need to be more positive and look to build on leads rather than hang on to an advantage.

"I think after the break we were a bit on the back foot - it's something we recognise," Mostert said.

"We need to work on to make sure that we continue to build and be stronger than we were in the first half."

The inability to comfortably put away the Thunderbirds is something that could cost the Lightning if a finals placing comes down to percentage, as before round nine just one per cent separated them and second-placed Melbourne Vixens.