Tuesday 10 February 2015 09:19, UK
Manchester Thunder edged out Hertfordshire Mavericks 49-42 in a bruising encounter at the Thunderdome to extend their lead at the top of the Netball Superleague.
Even at this early stage of the season, this clash had turned into a must win for both sides, who were both unbeaten heading into the game.
The visitors from Hertfordshire have arguably the best side on paper, with an England player in their ranks for every area of the court.
Player of the Match Laura Malcolm of Manchester Thunder said: “It always feels like goal for goal with Mavericks and having to keep checking the score because it always felt like we were close.
“I'm happy with my performance today. There's definitely some things that didn't work for us today and we'll have to work on those in training.”
Thunder came out of the blocks the hungrier team, powering to a six-goal lead in the opening five minutes. Their Goal Keeper Kerry Almond, who has been solid in the opening two games of the season, continued her good form to produce a string of interceptions.
Thunder moved the ball through the court at speed with Mavericks unable to stall Sara Bayman, Malcolm and Chelsea Pitman's fluid attacking play.
A series of breaks in play and a Mavericks time out helped them gain some composure and they scored three without reply to bring the score to 16-12 at the start of the second quarter.
Thunder refused to surrender any more of their lead and kept to their attacking game-plan, with Kathryn Turner and Helen Housby netting a combination of near post and long shots.
Almond and Emma Dovey's defensive pressure was starting to frustrate Mavericks, with the black and purples struggling to penetrate the shooting circle.
Thunder's intensity didn't drop at the start of the third but Mavericks upped theirs and it became an open game.
Mavericks scored four on the bounce for the first time in the game and could sniff some vulnerability in Thunder's possession.
It was a low-scoring quarter, with tempers on court bubbling over following a number of contact calls and crossed words between the sides.
Superb patience from Thunder around the shooting circle was rewarded with an audacious pass from Turner to a waiting Helen Housby who duly slotted home under the post.
Hertfordshire keeper Naida Hutchinson was keeping an out-of-sorts Krista Enziano quiet and the game petered out in the closing minutes.
Watch Manchester Thunder live with Sky Tickets head http://tickets.sky.com/Netball/Manchester-Thunder for more information.
You can watch Monday's Superleague clash between Team Northumbria and Loughborough Lightning on Sky Sports 3 starting at 7.30pm.
Sky Sports will show live action from all 14 rounds of the Netball Superleague as part of the channel’s biggest ever year of women’s sport.
