Thunder v Storm brewing

NETBALL:  

MANCHESTER Thunder have been handed a tough start to the 2015 Superleague season.

The defending champions face Surrey Storm — the team they edged out by a last-gasp goal in the grand final — away from home on January 26.

In what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter between netball’s biggest rivals, the Sky Sports cameras will be there to capture every pass live.

With Surrey looking to avenge the agonising final defeat, they will also be up against Thunder’s Australian overseas signing Chelsea Pitman, who is expected to make her Black and Yellow Superleague debut.

Thunder will follow up the opening game with two difficult home fixtures against Superleague's two other top four teams.

Team Bath will travel to Manchester on Saturday, February 5 at 5pm. Next will be Hertfordshire Mavericks, who ended last season on a high after beating Bath 42-34 in the third/fourth play-off.

An away match with Roses rivals Yorkshire Jets comes next before the Sky Sports cameras return to Manchester for round five as Thunder take on Celtic Dragons on Monday, February 23, for an evening match.

The second half of the season offers up some top ties, with Thunder's away clash at Bath once again scheduled to be aired live on Sky Sports.