Jets stall as Tracey Neville’s troops Thunder on

Thunder had become well accustomed with their opposition over recent weeks as they met Yorkshire Jets in round 1 of the FIAT Netball Superleague for the fourth time in 2012, just 23 days into the New Year. It was also a night for celebrity spotting as some of Manchester’s favourite footballing sons were in attendance at the Thunderdome with Phil and Gary Neville in attendance to support their sister and Paul Scholes taking the opportunity to catch a game. They all supported Thunder’s ‘dads and daughters’ theme all bringing their daughters fittingly dressed in yellow Thunder hoodies. They would have left delighted too as Thunder dominated much of the game, continuing the momentum from their impressive Fast Net victory earlier in the month.

The early signs were encouraging as both teams started at a quick tempo with the Yorkshire Jets battling hard and securing turnovers. Northern Thunder were struggling to control possession but were working hard in defence with Emma Dovey making a particularly athletic interception. The hosts then stepped up a gear and started to dominate the middle third with Sara Bayman and Beth Cobden started to produce incisive feeds to Janelle Lawson and Krista Enziano. The movement was good and the attacking duo regularly found themselves in space to extend the Thunder lead. The return to Superleague action for England international Bayman was a huge positive for the home side as she regularly showed her international class with terrific play around the circle. Jets were still working hard and regularly recycled the ball, remaining patient around the circle as Nat Panagarry and Natalie Haythornthwaite produced fluent feeds into Jo Walker and Rachel Shaw. However, some inaccuracy from under the post cost the visitors dear and at the end of the first quarter they trailed 14-10.

There were no changes at the start of the second quarter and the momentum continued from the opening fifteen minutes as none of the shooters were missing. Bayman continued to look free in the middle third and started to dictate the play. Lawson was starting to look like the classy shooter that Thunder were hoping for as she scored regularly with her looping efforts, her shot technique sends the ball on a high trajectory but with fantastic accuracy. Meanwhile, the Jets were faltering with costly communication breakdowns as passes were misdirected and soft turnovers given to the hosts. The visitors were still in the game though midway through the quarter as Thunder had only pulled ahead by five. However, Thunder still seemed to have a bit in reserve as once again they upped the tempo and pressure on their opponents and had a fantastic spell of possession with defensive combo of Dovey and Kerry Almond winning the majority of rebounds. The hosts were getting the basics right and punishing with their turnovers as Enziano and Lawson carried on the scoring, at the interval they had pulled further clear into a 27-19 advantage.

Tracey Neville used the break to make a swap in the shooting circle as Kathryn Turner came on for Enziano. A cautious beginning to proceeds at the start of the second half was finally broken with a goal from Shaw as Jets tried to force a fight back and regain some momentum. A concern for Anna Carter would have been the lack of fluency in the passing as many balls were inaccurate and hitting fingertips rather than hands. There was also a fair bit of ill-discipline which descended on the visitors with a large number of calls going against the Jets. This constant breaking up of play was affecting the Jets as they struggled to get a foothold in the game. Thunder kept the basics working and remained professional throughout to constantly increase their lead. A combination of good defence from the hosts coupled with the efforts of Dovey and Bayman in mid-court saw Neville’s team dominate the quarter and kill of the match as a contest, Thunder won the quarter 18-4 and stretched 45-23 ahead.

With the game now out of reach, Carter made some changes as Jo McKinney was brought on at GD and Holly Pearce at GS for the Jets. To their credit, a sizeable away support continued to be vociferous for their team as they cheered every successful attempt with vigour. The final quarter turned into a mere precession as each side played down the minutes. Thunder captain Bayman was still looking as sharp as she has ever been with many a rasping feed into Lawson and Turner. Dovey too continued her agile performance, seemingly full off wheat based cereal, she worked tirelessly until the final whistle. Jets did show some good spirit and pride as they battled to win the quarter by the single goal but the defeat had already been confirmed long before the umpires drew the game to a close.

England stalwart Bayman deservedly picked up the Player of the Match award, chosen by the obviously impressed Paul Scholes. Thunder move into top place in the league with their sizable victory and will be confident ahead their trip to Bath next week while Jets will look to regroup as they play their first match at the Bonus Arena in Hull against the Hertfordshire Mavericks on Friday night.

Starting line-ups:

Northern Thunder: GS - Enziano, GA - Lawson, WA - Cobden, C – Bayman, WD –Malcolm, GD - Dovey, GK - Almond
Bench: Henry, McAndrew, Lodge, Turner, Bloomfield

Yorkshire Jets: GS - Walker, GA - Shaw, WA - Haythornthwaite, C - Panagarry, WD - Russell, GD - Forbes, GK - Potter
Bench: Thomas, Pearce, Paynter, McKinney, Powell