Thunder rumble to feisty win

NETBALL:

MANCHESTER Thunder took control right from the off and never looked back against Hertfordshire Mavericks, coming away from the trip south as 48-38 winners in the Zeo Netball Superleague.

In what was at times a feisty encounter — Mavericks goal attack Kadeem Corbin was warned by the umpire after one exchange — Thunder assumed command early on to build a 13-10 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Though home centre Camilla Buchanan was competing hard with Thunder captain Sara Bayman, Tracey Neville’s side benefited from the calmness of shooters Krista Enziano and Helen Housby.

The pace was ferocious at times, leaving Thunder wing defence Laura Malcolm sprawled on the deck at one stage in the second period before Buchanan suffered the same fate, meaning her early exit from the action.

As Thunder established a 25-19 lead by halfway, Neville introduced 17-year-old Alice Travis at goal shooter and by the end of the third quarter, the visitors stretched their advantage to 36-29.

The game was still up for grabs late on but with Bayman influential and Housby in good form in the shooting end, Thunder ultimately had too much for their hosts.

Thunder: GS Enziano; GA Housby; WA Cobden; C Bayman; WD Malcolm; GD Dovey; GK Almond. Bench: Gibson, Hale, Henry, Travis, Turner.



REIGNING champions Team Bath were seen off 54-41 on their own patch by Thunder earlier in the week.

Outclassing their opponents in all facets, Thunder rumbled to an early 7-1 lead and never looked back