Thunder experience key

MANCHESTER Thunder beat a spirited Team Bath 40-37 in a thriller.

Thunder coach Tracey Neville fielded the same starting seven for the third game running, reluctant to shake things up despite her side already safely into the Superleague play-off semi-finals.

Thunder started second-best to hosts Bath, especially in the attacking third. They started the second period with more intensity but still struggled to find any kind of rhythm.

The visitors called a time-out and Krista Enziano came on at shooter, with Helen Housby shifting to goal attack. The change did the trick and with unbeaten Thunder much more assured in attack, they built a slender 19-18 half-time lead.

Thunder increased their lead to four goals by the end of the third quarter, but there was still everything to play for. here experience counted and the team’s ability to keep the ball was just enough to hold Bath off.


THUNDER’S Superleague home semi-final will take place at the Manchester Arena on April 18 (6.10pm).

It’s a huge coup for the Black and Yellows and English netball as it follows the success of Netball London Live, which saw 6,000 netball fans descend on the Copperbox in Olympic Park to watch Surrey Storm take on Hertfordshire Mavericks.

“This is huge for Manchester Thunder and women’s sport, not just in the city but the whole country,” said Thunder director Debbie Hallas.

Tickets:: manchesterthunder.com