Thunder pull the plug on Bath

NETBALL: NORTHERN Thunder proved too good for Team Bath in the FIAT Superleague.

A close contest was predicted, but the home side were in dominant form as they dished out a 62-39 defeat.

Thunder turned the ball over easily in the opening quarter but, with Bath’s Sam Cook and Gemma Fletcher defending stoutly, their advantage was only a point (12-11) at the first break.

Karen Greig, introduced for the second quarter, traded scores with Bath captain Asha Francis, before Sara Bayman hit top gear to help the hosts build a 27-19 lead.

Unbeaten Thunder continued to stretch their advantage in the third quarter, with Greig and Janelle Lawson combining beautifully.

With the victory in the bag, the intensity level fell away in the final quarter.

Thunder now head to Surrey Storm on Monday in round three of phase two of the season.