Fast Net Finals Night

The strategy worked as Thunder took an early advantage and Surrey Storm were always on the back foot chasing the game. This put their shooters under pressure and the usually accurate Rachel Dunn struggled to find the target. Thunder worked hard in defence and captain Sara Bayman and fellow mid-courter Laura Malcolm stood out turning over the ball with ease.
 
Surrey took their powerplay in the third quarter and after a confident start with goals from Pamela Cookey and Dunn, Thunder soon got back on top with an interception from Kerry Almond. Thunder played the possession game trying to run the clock down and stop Surrey benefiting during their powerplay.
 
In the final quarter it was all to play for with the scores at 22-19 Thunder just edging the lead. And it was the northern side who dominated the quarter with patient possession working their way to goal and putting away their chances. Surrey’s attempts on goal were far from the mark and desperation hit toward the end as they attempted from distance but to no avail. Thunder advanced straight to the final with a 27-21 win.
 
GAME 2 – CELTIC DRAGONS v YORKSHIRE JETS
 
The two runners up from each of the northern and southern conference met to try to secure a second chance to make the final. Yorkshire stormed into the lead and at one point in the second quarter they were 14-1 up and looking in control. However, Dragons shooter Lewis, a player who really embraces the Fastnet rules, was successful with two long bombs, scoring six points in the process. Half time the score was 14-7.
 
The third quarter was a scrappy affair and the Jets went into the final quarter 18-15 up, with their powerplay still to come, clearly quite confident. However, it was this quarter that Dragons took the lead for the first time with a successful three-pointer from Cara Lea-Moseley. However, the Dragons panicked and lost possession to which Walker slotted to win the game by one 23-22.
 
GAME 3 – SURREY STORM v YORKSHIRE JETS
 
Yorkshire Jets remained on their bench to plan their battle against the hosts Surrey Storm on their second quest to reach the final. This was a very physical game from the outset and quite scrappy, it was very evenly matched and at three quarter time Jets edged into the lead by one goal.
 
It was anybody’s game and Surrey finally took the lead with a three-pointer by Dunn which lifted the crowd. There was only 40 seconds to go and Jets quickly moved the ball to goal attack Rachel Shaw who slotted a three-pointer to win the game for Yorkshire with only 20 seconds left. This set up an all northern final to the disappointment of the Surrey crowd.
 
GAME 4 – THE FINAL – NORTHERN THUNDER v YORKSHIRE JETS
 
The final saw the Jets remain on court for the third consecutive game against a fresh-legged Thunder. Again coach Neville took the bull by the horns and elected to take the powerplay in the first quarter. Shooter Krista Enziano was first to put points on the board and Thunder built an early lead 8-1. In a high scoring quarter the Jets were not to be written off with Shaw scoring a three-pointer and, but Enziano hit back immediately with a four-pointer taking the scores to 16-6 at the first break.
 
Quarter two saw the Jets on powerplay and Shaw quickly scored a four-pointer bringing the scores to 16-10. At this point Bayman, Malcolm and Dovey took the game by the scruff of its neck and snuffed out the Yorkshire attack with several timely interceptions and sending the ball back into attack for shooters Enziano and Janelle Lawson. At half time Thunder led by seven.
 
The third quarter was quite scrappy affair and Thunder extended their lead by two to 28-19 going into the final quarter.
 
The Jets had to produce something special of they were to overcome Thunder, although, with high scoring possibilities anything could happen. But Thunder were in complete control and Jets gave away a penalty at the final whistle giving Lawson a penalty pass or shot in a three-point position. She slotted the goal much to the joy of the Thunder bench which erupted at the realisation that they had won the inaugural Cathedral City Fastnet Finals. The final score was 35-21.
 
Coach Tracey Neville said: “What a fantastic result, we put it out there taking our powerplays in the first quarter and this tactic worked, I think it put the opposition on the back foot.”
 
“The girls worked hard and produced some great netball and turned the ball over when it mattered.”
 
Thunder squad: K Almond, E Dovey, A Lodge, L Malcolm, B Cobden, S Bayman, R Henry, D Bloomfield, M McAndrew, K Turner, K Enziano, J Lawson
 
Thunder now look forward to their first Fiat Netball Superleague match of the season when they take on Yorkshire Jets on Monday 23rd January at 8pm.