Treble tops for Thunder

THAT’S MINE: Manchester Thunder’s Chelsea Pitman gathers the ball

Netball: 

REIGNING champions Manchester Thunder edged out Hertfordshire Mavericks 49-42 in a bruising encounter at the Thunderdome.

Even though the Superleague season is still in its infancy, this was an important game between two unbeaten sides.

Thunder came out of the blocks the hungrier team, powering to a six-goal lead in the opening five minutes Keeper Kerry Almond, solid in the opening two games of the season, continued her good form with a string of interceptions.

Thunder moved the ball through the court at speed, with Mavericks unable to stall Sara Bayman, Laura Malcolm and Chelsea Pitman’s fluid attacking play.

A series of breaks in play and a Mavericks time out helped them gain some composure, after which they scored three without reply to bring the score to 16-12 by the start of the second quarter.

Thunder refused to surrender more of their lead and kept to their attacking game plan, with Kathryn Turner and Helen Housby netting combinations of near post and long shots.

Thunder’s intensity didn’t drop at the start of the third quarter, but Mavericks upped their tempo and it became an open game. They scored four on the bounce for the first time in the clash and could sense vulnerability in the Thunder ranks.

But patience from Thunder around the shooting circle was rewarded with an audacious pass from Turner to Housby, who slotted home.

It was a satisfactory win from Thunder, but not vintage and they will need to iron out handling errors ahead of their War of the Roses clash with Yorkshire Jets in Leeds on Friday.