Four out of four for Thunder

NETBALL: Northern Thunder moved to the top of the Fiat Netball Superleague with a fourth successive win, seeing off Team Northumbria 63-24.

Thunder failed to get into full flow early on but still ended the first quarter 12-6 up, aided by the fact that Northumbria's former England inter-national goal attack Lisa Stanley suffered a calf strain after only seven minutes.

Unchanged Thunder continued to do enough to keep their noses in front in the second quarter against spirited and disruptive opposition and led 28-14 at the halfway stage.

Kiwi Jess Langman came on at half-time for Thunder and the team raced away in the third, winning it emphatically 21-3 for a 49-17 advantage heading into the final quarter.

Young goal attack Kathryn Turner was introduced by Thunder and despite the team taking its collective foot off the pedal they still ran out comfortable, confident winners.

After four games Thunder are now the only team in the league to boast an unbeaten record, with Team Bath losing to Hertfordshire Mavericks by one goal.