Thunder in good heart

JADE CLARKE: Good work-out in preparation for the play-offs.

NETBALL: NORTHERN Thunder prepared for this weekend’s play-off clash against Hertfordshire Mavericks with a comfortable 56-32 win over Glasgow Wildcats in the final game of the regular FIAT Netball Superleague season.

This round 14 fixture was a one-sided with affair with Thunder, who had already clinched second place behind table-topping Mavericks, always in control.

They took a 10-0 lead in the first 15 minutes and were never in danger of letting it slip.

Thunder’s Karen Greig is out for remainder of the campaign because of injury and the last thing her team needed was an another knock before the play-offs.

So when Lynsey Armitage went down just before half-time, the sensible thing was to substitute her and dig out the ice.

Kathryn Turner and young Alexa Collier took over the shooting duties and did themselves and Thunder proud.

Despite the margin of victory, mid-court player Jade Clarke said it was a useful exercise.

She explained: “Having already secured our play-off place, we were given licence to try new things which we really enjoyed.

“It was great to get a run out ahead of our big game next week and our youngsters really proved themselves when they hit the court.”

Thunder take on the Mavericks, who have home advantage at the Hertfordshire Sports Village, on Saturday.

The winners will go straight into the Grand Final, while the losers will get a second bite of the cherry against the victorious team from the first play-off game between Team Bath and Surrey Storm, which takes place on Friday.