Thunder book play-off berth in Roses classic

IN one of the closest Roses battles for years, Manchester Thunder triumphed 51-50 at Yorkshire Jets to win a place in the Zen Superleague play-off semi-finals.

Krista Enziano and Helen Housby took the game by the scruff of the neck in the first period as Thunder built a 16-11 lead. The home side, with Kerry Almond and Emma Dovey to the fore, asserted their authority in the second quarter to forge an eight-point advantage.

Thunder head coach Tracey Neville made one change at half-time with Laura Malcolm replacing Beth Cobden at wing defence.

By the end of the third quarter Thunder’s lead was four goals at 41-37. Unforced errors from Thunder allowed Yorkshire to level for the first time since the opening quarter.

Jets then went in front, only for the experience of Sara Bayman and Almond to shine through.

With 50 seconds remaining, Dovey claimed a rebound and sent the ball down court for Thunder to score.