Victory bags Thunder home semis clash

NETBALL:

MANCHESTER Thunder won a home semi-final play-off in the Zeo Superleague with a hard-fought 66-53 victory over Team Northumbria.

Thunder, who beat Celtic Dragons 63-52 48 hours earlier, flew out of the blocks and soon found an easy route to shooters Kathryn Turner and Helen Housby. The defence of Kerry Almond and Emma Dovey also worked well in shutting down the Northumbria shooters.

Thunder won the quarter 20-11 and were dictating the game, but took their foot off the gas in the second. An injury to Almond just before the break saw captain Sara Bayman return to centre, with Jodie Gibson moving back to goalkeeper.

Northumbria took the quarter by one, but Thunder was winning 34-26.

Alice Travis (17) got her chance in the third quarter at goal shooter, which allowed Housby to have a run out at goal attack.

The impressive Travis found good space in the circle, helping her side to find its feet again. With a quarter to go, Thunder’s lead had increased to 51-38.

Northumbria didn’t make it easy for Thunder in the final quarter, but the side added 15 more points to win convincingly