Win-or-bust showdown for Thunder

DEFENSIVE ERROR . . . Northern Thunder’s Emma Dovey.

NETBALL: AFTER play-off defeat at the hands of Hertfordshire Mavericks, Northern Thunder are braced for a make-or-break clash with Surrey Storm at Oldham Sports Centre on Friday (7.30pm).

It represents their last chance to reach the FIAT Netball Superleague Grand Final on Thursday, June 9.

Should they be victorious, they will return to Hertfordshire for another crack at their conquerers.

Depleted Thunder showed plenty of promise against a powerful Mavericks outfit before eventually succumbing to a 55-44 loss.

The turning point came half-way through the second quarter. An uncharacteristic error from defender Emma Dovey saw her backpass to Kerry Almond end up in the hands of home shooter Louisa Brownfield, who gave her side an 18-16 lead.

Mavericks never looked back. They won the second quarter by seven, the third by six and, at one stage in the final 15 minutes, they led by 19, although Thunder narrowed the gap.

There was second-string look to the team sheet after a raft of campaign-ending injuries and absences.

Assistant coach Suzy Chapman said: “We knew it was going to be a tough game and they proved that.

“I think we matched their performance, particularly in the first half.”

Tickets are £8 adults and £5 for under-16s.



AFTER an injury-blighted season, Northern Thunder were given special dispensation by the Superleague to snap up shooter Alex Wood.
The former England international made her debut in the play-off defeat against Hertfordshire Mavericks following the completion of the deal with just 30 minutes to spare before the deadline.

Wood had taken a step back from netball to have her second child and hasn’t played for over a year. But at 6ft 4in, and with a wealth of experience, she represents a strong addition to the Thunder squad.

At times against the Mavericks she looked like she had never been away, although rustiness inevitably brought an inconsistent shooting rate of 75-per-cent.

Wood will make her first home appearance for the club on Friday against Surrey Storm, at Oldham Sports Centre (7.30pm).