Thunder weathers the Storm

NETBALL: MANCHESTER Thunder held off a late surge from Surrey Storm to win a thrilling Superleague opener 55-52.

All the advance chatter had been about Thunder’s final-second win in last season’s final against Storm — and this contest did not disappoint.

Surrey was outplayed for large periods of the game and had no answer to Thunder's fluid attacking play. But the side kept its nerve and clawed back to contention even after falling 10 goals behind.

There were no signs of nerves from the defending champions as Australian ANZ Championship import Chelsea Pitman, on her debut, spearheaded the attack with aggression and skill.

Her link-up play with England shooter Helen Housby flowed well, and goal attack Kathryn Turner netted some solid long shots.

The game lacked width at the start of the second half as Surrey struggled to get the ball to its wingers. Thunder had no such problem, with Pitman and Sara Bayman spraying long passes into the shooters.

A fortunate line call for Storm gave them hope with the score 43-37, and the visitors ended the third the stronger side.

The pressure was starting to show in Thunder's centre court play, with an otherwise solid Laura Malcolm launching a pass straight out of court.

But their young shooters remained composed with Housby, who finished the match on 92 per cent shot accuracy, always hungry for the ball.

Almond was colossal in defence throughout and her partnership with Emma Dovey one of the best they had produced.