Thunder get beyond a stubborn Jets outfit

NETBALL:

MANCHESTER Thunder overcame some initially stubborn resistance from Yorkshire Jets to record a 60-40 home victory in the Zeo Netball Superleague, their third in a row.

Bath and Mavericks had previously been put to the sword by a confident Thunder side, but the team from across the Pennines had other ideas than to make this a procession.
By the end of the opening quarter, the score was level at 13-13. Helen Housby and Krista Enziano had an almost perfect partnership in the shooting circle, but it was getting the ball through to them that became difficult as both sides put heavy pressure on the ball.

An empowering team talk by Tracey Neville and the introduction of Rachel Henry for Beth Cobden saw Thunder — who had Kerry Almond to thank for some crucial interceptions — go 31-19 up by half-time.

The advantage gave Thunder the cushion they needed to play comfortable netball in the third quarter and with Enziano and Housby replaced by Kathryn Turner and Alice Travis, the advantage was stretched to 20 heading into the final quarter.

The Jets gave as good as they got, but strong defence meant that the lead was not cut by as much as a point, as Thunder proved themselves capable of toppling any side in their division.