Manchester Thunder suffer another nail-biting home defeat

 

Manchester Thunder’s hope of a top four finish in the Superleague is in jeopardy as Hertfordshire Mavericks won 45-46 last night at the Thunderdome.

The champions aimed to put last weeks defeat away to Surrey Storm behind them and came out to a packed home crowd donning pink kits in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Director of Netball, Tracey Neville said Hertfordshire Mavericks will definitely test Manchester Thunder’s will to win and without injured Goal Attack, Janelle Lawson and Captain Sara Bayman it was set to be a challenging fixture.

Thunder started strong as Goal Shooter, Krista Enziano netted the first three points. Mavericks Goal Attack, Alice Ewer soon put her team on the score board with a long ranging shot from the left of the semi-circle.

But the momentum was with the home side as Enziano scored another three goals to make it 6-3.

The champions were soon under pressure as Hertfordshire Mavericks clawed their way back and Ewer levelled the score line 7-7.

But three missed shots from Mavericks saw Thunder take advantage leading 13-7. Tight defending from Goal Keeper, Lindsay Keable in the closing minutes of the first quarter saw Mavericks manage to close the gap to 13-10.

In the second quarter Mavericks Steffi Burt replaced Ewer at Goal Shooter and instantly made an attacking difference, netting her sides first of the quarter.

Thunders Goal Defence, Emma Dovey made a scrappy interception and Enziano soon made it 15-12.

Burt kept her side in the match and Mavericks soon trailed by just two points but Thunders Goal Attack, Kathryn Turner lengthened the lead to 19-15.  Enziano then scored Thunders 20^th.

Mavericks again fought back as shots from Goal Attack, Sophie Hankin bought her side level at 22-22. Thunder were quick to respond as Turner netted two shots to ensure her side edged in front at half time 24-23.

With the champions hanging on by a mere point in the third quarter Sam Holt came on to replace Goal Keeper, Eleanor Cardwell.

Mavericks injured Nadia Hutchinson was replaced by Wing Defence, Michaella McFarlane.

Mavericks soon moved ahead as Hankin and Burt worked together to take the lead for the first time at 28-29.

The champions could not comeback and Coach, Tracey Neville soon turned animated during an injury timeout.

Centre, Laura Malcolm intercepted Mavericks centre pass for Turner to make it 29-32. The Goal Attack then scored her 30^th to close the gap.

By the end of the third quarter Burt secured Mavericks two point lead at 35-37.

Thunder fans roared their side on but at 36-40 Hertfordshire Mavericks seemed to have secured the win.

Thunder soon fought back as Dovey made an incredible interception in mid-court so Enziano could make it 41-43.

With just five minutes to go Enziano levelled the score at 43-43.

Neville called a crucial time out to rally her side together and it almost seemed to have worked as Turner edged Thunder ahead to 44-43.

But an excellent ball from Mavericks Captain, Sasha Corbin to Burt soon levelled play.

The game was tied at 45-45 in the dying minute but somehow Corbin found a way through the Thunder defence. Hankin broke hearts across the Thunderdome to score the winning 46^th shot.

Tears from Malcolm and Wing Defence, Beth Cobden showed just how much Thunder needed this win.

With three defeats in the first phase of the Superleague Manchester Thunder must beat Team Northumbria away this Saturday to secure a top four finish. Back to back wins for league leaders Surrey Storm means any hope of retaining their title now look slim.

Catch highlights of the game and other Superleague ties this Thursday at 5pm on Sky Sports 4.

Manchester Thunder line up –  Eleanor Cardwell, Emma Dovey, Beth Cobden, Laura Malcolm, Rachel Henry, Kathryn Turner, Krista Enziano.

Lollipop congratulates GBs new Golden girl Perri Shakes-Drayton

Finally Olympic Legacy is not just a term loosely swung around by LOCOG or Lord Coe.

The European Indoor Championships in Sweden have shown the world how feisty and focused our British athletes are even after the hype and strain of London 2012.

24-year-old Perri Shakes-Drayton became a potential pin-up for the legacy yesterday – taking her first senior title in the 400m and driving the British 400m relay team to gold. The two medals lifted the Brit’s overall medal tally to eight overall –winning one more gold medal then they did in France 2011 and a second-place finish behind Russia in the final medals table.

Not a bad start for such a young British team. Their success shows that behind the demolition of the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield where Jessica Ennis once trained and the use of the Olympic park to host this Summer’s Wireless Festival instead of inspiring a nation, there is  a sporting future for the British youngsters out there.

After Shakes-Drayton’s motivational win Olympic champion Denise Lewis tweeted: “Double gold European medallist – not bad for the young girl I met back in ’08. Rock on wid your bad self. V proud of u xx”

Which shows it took years of grit and heartbreak in London 2012 for most of these young athletes that achieved so much over the weekend to reach where they are now.

Lollipop and I think their golds are better than the stadiums, the parks and the barren Aquatics centre. This success is what the Olympic legacy should be centred around – the sport, our athletes and now our double indoor champ.

Olympic and Paralympic contributors UK Sport spend over 100m each year to financially support our promising athletes but with the abolition of Wrestling from Rio 2016 and swimming receiving less funding can the Olympic legacy continue in this fashion.

Our athletes clearly gave their all this weekend but whether future Olympians get our full financial support is unfortunately yet to be seen.