Northern Thunder banked another 2 points and moved into third spot with a clear 2 points advantage over closest rivals Mavericks in the Co-operative Netball Superleague with a 19 goal victory over most improved side, Loughborough Lightning.
Northern Thunder started at breakneck speed pulling into a seven goal lead. Thunder then lost concentration and with the calm, efficient, accuracy of Lightnings Jo Harten at their helm staged a great comeback with 12 goals from 13 attempts to end the quarter only 3 goals down 15-12.
The turnover rate was fairly high in this game where the ball had to be manoeuvred down court. Instead of fast-flowing quick ball the Lightning players had to engineer a path for the ball to reach the shooters; one watcher described it as like wading through treacle for Loughborough at times. It cut the number of chances for the visitors to stay on terms and Northern Thunder pulled ahead, 30-19 at half time.
The third quarter gave Thunder even more turnover ball, maybe three times more than their opponents but Thunder did not take full advantage. They paraded a variety of unforced errors with repetitions of footwork and breaking the line costing them and provoking an unusually animated bout of shouting from coach Mike Greenwood.
The defence held firm though, Emma Dovey, the stand out player for Thunder as the team came in 56-37 victors.
After the match goal-defence Emma Dovey said “We got off to a fast start but lost a little concentration and allowed Loughborough Lightning to get back into the game.” But she was also happy with how they responded, “ we dug in deep in the second quarter and pushed hard for the rest of the game.” She added “I’m thrilled to beat Clarkey (Jade Clarke) to Player of the Match. ”Assistant coach Suzy Chapman also praised the fast start, but not what followed, “ we got a little careless and unforced errors allowed Loughborough Lightning to keep coming back on us, with some excellent moments of attacking through court.”
“Some effective defending meant we dominated each quarter which gave us the result we deserve.”
Match Umpires
Lucy Mitchell with Debbie King and Kim Burns
