Thunder coach wants response

NETBALL: NORTHERN Thunder assistant coach Suzy Chapman is looking for an improvement from her side in the remaining two matches of the regular FIAT Superleague season.

Play-off contenders Thunder were beaten 56-42 by Team Bath in the first top-flight netball match to be played at Oldham Sports Centre.

Always in front — they held a one-goal lead at the first break (15-14) — the visitors gradually gained the upper hand by capitalising on unforced errors while also intercepting and turning over possession.

Chapman said: “We matched their performance in the first quarter but, after talking about consistency, we didn’t live up to it.

“Mistakes were made, which we need to learn from, and I am looking forward to our next game in order to get things right for the play-offs.”

Northern Thunder, who remain second in the table behind Hertfordshire Mavericks, will look to hit back at Leeds Carnegie on Sunday (2pm).

The home side feature two former Thunder players in Krista Enziano and Laura Malcolm.