Thunder show promise in away-day defeat

THE latest round of Netball Superleague matches saw another promising display from a young Northern Thunder line-up against an impressive Mavericks team.

Mavericks have lost only twice all season and currently occupy third spot in the Superleague table.

They are much more experienced than their Northern counterparts and that experience eventually showed as they ran out 52-30 winners.

Thunder kept pace during the first half, but it was in the second half that Mavericks showed their class and started to dominate proceedings.

Northern Thunder looked strong in defence once again as the ever-reassuring presence of Kerry Almond steered them through. It was the centre court players who could not capitalise on the defensive performance which cost Thunder the most.

Alexa Collier (17) made her Thunder debut and scored 11 goals from her 15 shots as she played three quarters.

It was Louisa Brownfield, however, who was unquestionably the most impressive performer as she netted 34 of her 38 attempts in the match.

Oldham Netball Club came out on top of a close encounter in their National Premier League Division One game against Essex-based New Campbell, eventually winning 49-38.

After falling behind in the early stages, Oldham had the ever-accurate shooting of Karen Greig and Alexa Collier to thank for bringing them back into the match and taking the lead.

New Campbell were not helped by injuries as two of their players had to be substituted and the changes led to them losing their way later in the game and Oldham took full advantage.

A late charge saw New Campbell win the last quarter, but the damage had already been done and the win eased Oldham’s play-off concerns.

Oldham’s Northern League Division One outfit are celebrating four wins out of four after beating Dominoes 42-37.

The game against the Manchester-based team was as even throughout as the tight scoreline suggests, but Oldham’s young stars showed great determination to record a win.

Louise Flanagan was welcomed back into the Oldham side after returning from university while debutant Sarah Horridge also impressed.

The star of the show however was goal shooter Rachel Bramhall who had 100-per-cent stats at the end of the first half.