Anthony Mouchette, the Lindo’s Tigers coach, conceded that his team weretaught a lesson by Phoenix Heat on Saturday after the defending champions thumped his side 46-24 in the Bermuda Netball Association Senior League.

The loss was the first of the season for Tigers, who had won all of their previous four matches, while Heat, who had some matches postponed at the start of the season as a result of bad weather, have now won all three of their fixtures.

Mouchette hopes his players can recover from the deflating loss and continue with their pursuit of a title that has eluded them for years.

“We got schooled,’’ Mouchette said. “It’s a lesson learnt and we just go back to the drawing board and pick up the pieces.

“I was expecting a tough game and our gameplan didn't materialise from the start. We were always playing catch-up from that point on.

“We knew from the start that the game was going to be difficult. Phoenix Heat are a difficult team to beat and they've been champions for so many years now.

“Mentally and physically, they have their stuff together. I thought we could have given more opposition but they got the better of us, so we just have to rectify and learn from that moving forward.

“We’re still in contention for the league as it’s only one loss. For now we’re still in first place, but it’s going to be tough.”

Goal shooter Danielle Raynor scored 35 times for Heat with goal attack Ebonie Cox on target on 11 occasions. Nyisha Saunders was adjudged Heat MVP with Eshé Grant the best attacker and captain Kianté Lightbourne the most outstanding defender.

Tigers got their goals from their MVP Jahkenya Trott, who scored 20, attacker Zariah Emery contributed three, while defender Candace Paynter chipped in with one.

Heat overwhelmed Tigers with some sleek movement on the court, combined with long passes to the duo of Raynor and Cox, who did not disappoint with their shooting.

While Raynor and Cox were excellent, so was centre Ayanna Wolfe, wing attack Grant, wing defence Karlandra Smith, goal keeper Nyisha Saunders, and goal defender Lightbourne.

“We’re excited and it’s still new for us as it’s only our third game of the season, two in one week and we’re getting older ,’’ Lightbourne said.

“It’s just about seeing what we can still do, working around, bring in new players and just making sure we’ve still got it.

“Long passes from the centre of the court is one of our strengths, Danny [Raynor ] is good at giving herself space in the circle.

“Credit to the girls, the wing attack, centre, goal attack, their passes are spot-on all the time.

“We never had a chance to train because we played a game on Tuesday and our training session would have been midweek.

Heat have acheived sustained success in the league but Lightbourne is not dwelling on former glories

“We’re not dwelling on the past as every new season is a new season,’’ Lightbourne said.

“Our players are getting older and we’re not as fit as we used to be. We’re having to work a little smarter, play a little smarter and not play as fast because that can be your downfall.”

Both teams had some of their key players pick up injuries. Jahtuerre Trott, the Tigers captain, limped off in the second quarter with a pulled hamstring, while Grant has ruptured an Achilles and has surgery scheduled for Wednesday.

In an earlier match on Saturday, North Village defeated Docksiders 73-20.