Peel Lightning show promise, go down to Sharks in WANL debut | photos

The Lightning put in an admirable charge on the historic night but ultimately fell short to the experienced Sharks outfit, going down 47-63 after a lapse in the second quarter.

Peel was up for the fight early, ending the first quarter trailing by just four goals, but by half time the Sharks had increased their lead to 12.

Valiantly the Lightning continued to throw all they had into their debut game in the final two quarters.

Captain Bec Nitschke and goal keeper Nikita Little led a defence that improved mightily as the game went on, while Katie Swetman imposed herself on the match.

The trio helped push Peel back into a competitive position but the Sharks held strong, eventually running the game out 17-goal victors.

Coach Pannell said the side would look to carry the momentum of an improved second half into their round two clash against the Southside Demons this Friday night.

"I was really happy with how we continued to fight even into the late stages of the game," she said.

"East Fremantle are a tough side and our girls never gave up. That's really impressive for a team playing their first ever game.

"We'll look to build on that next week and hopefully, if we carry that form over, we can come away with a win."

The significance of the occasion wasn't lost on Pannell, with the coach remarking at the support of the home crowd.

"To look up at the stands and see them packed with people wearing our colours was pretty special," she said.

"A lot of the feedback we got on the night spoke highly of the culture we've been able to build in a short time.

"It was bloody fantastic."

The Lightning now turn their attention to that round two clash with the Demons.

Peel enters the game sitting fifth on the league ladder, two spots above Southside, but each side will be eager to claim their first win.

The clash kicks off at the Gold Netball Centre on Friday night, 6.15pm.