Captain leads by example

GOAL-GETTER: Karen Greig piled up the points for Northern Thunder.

OLDHAM Netball Club had no less than nine representatives in the Northern Thunder squad which defeated a strong Welsh side 60-56 in the Co-Operative Superleague at Castle Leisure Centre, Bury.

They were captain Karen Greig, Kerry Almond, Charlotte Beenham, Kate Smith, Natasha Greenough, Krystal Gayle, Emma Dovey, Rachael Taylor and Rachel Whitmore.

Greig led her side by example, slotting home goal after goal.

She was ably supported by goal attack Amanda Evans, whose drives into the circle continually sliced open the stubborn Welsh defence.

But the young Thunder team did not have it all their own way, with Wales and Loughborough Lightning’s Becky James having a superb game, matching Greig and Evans with her own clinical shooting.

James was put down on the floor on numerous occasions by the home team defence, but each time shrugged off the contact to keep her side within touching distance.

Thunder coach Mike Greenwood said: “This was a good opportunity for the players, backroom staff and volunteers to have a practice run for the live televised game against Northumbria on October 23.

“I was pleased with the win but we still have a lot to work on. We have learned a lot from this.”