Thunder win... but come second

SUZY CHAPMAN: Thunder’s assistant coach was happy with the improvements shown on turnover and goal percentage.

Play-off test at Hertfordshire awaits despite Leeds victory
NETBALL: NORTHERN Thunder will face a stern test at Hertfordshire in a Grand Final qualifier, after the Mavericks gained the point they needed to end the season top of the FIAT Netball Superleague.

While Thunder fulfilled their part of the bargain via a 47-34 victory at Leeds Carnegie, the Hertfordshire side's 48-48 home draw with Surrey Storm ensured they end the campaign top of the pile with one game still remaining.

Now, the winner of the Mavericks-versus-Thunder play-off clash, which takes place on Saturday week in Hatfield — Sky Sports are showing a delayed broadcast of the game on Wednesday, June 1 — will progress straight through to the Grand Final on Thursday, June 9.

Thunder didn't have it all their own way against a Leeds side looking for a big finish to the season themselves, losing the final quarter in a game in which shooters for both sides were off their game.

“We wanted to improve on our turnover to goal percentage which we certainly did," said Thunder’s assistant coach Suzy Chapman.

“We wanted a great defensive game, while our focus was on ball placement in attack which improved from our last game.

"It was a good opportunity to try different combinations ready for the play-offs.”

Thunder have one more game before facing Mavericks, taking on Glasgow Wildcats in a rescheduled match on Sunday at The Castle Leisure Centre, Bury (4pm start).


THE THIRD and fourth-place play-off will be contested by Team Bath and Surrey Storm on Friday, May 27, taking place at the Sports Training Village in Bath.
The winner of that tie will take on the loser of the Mavericks-Thunder clash away from home. If it is Thunder, the game will be on Friday, June 3, at Oldham Sports Centre (8pm).