As we prepare for the biggest #NSL2024 game of the regular season with AO Netball Manchester Live at the AO Arena on Sunday, we thought it would good to look at what a victory would mean for your Manchester Thunder and also how we got to Round 16.
With a semi-final (SF) spot confirmed, the focus has turned to securing a home SF at the Belle Vue Sports Arena, A.K.A. The Thunderdome, the venue with the best atmosphere in the NSL*. With only 3 points separating Thunder in 1st with London Pulse in 3rd place, a win is vital in pushing for that home SF, to take the difference to 6 points with only 2 rounds left. Thunder currently hold a 147 goal difference with London Pulse, meaning a win would all but mathematically take us to a home SF.
Thunder’s NSL campaign has been a great one so far, with 14 wins and only a solitary loss against Loughborough Lightning in Round 6, 52-64. Your Thunder superstars have put up extraordinary numbers so far this season, with an average of 68 goals scored and 75 shots taken, leaving Thunder with a 91% goal accuracy. Combining that with our stout defence, which has conceded on average 48 goals a game, taking the average victory to 20 goals per game.
When you consider this compared to the 2023 season, where we scored 62 goals on average and conceded an average of 53 goals a game; going from a 9 goal win margin to a 20 goal win margin is great reading for every Thunder fan.
Now, to London Pulse, who sit 3rd in the table with 13 wins and 2 losses, a Round 1 loss to Thunder and a round 5 loss to Severn Stars 47-54, a team who beat Loughborough Lightning by 1 goal in Round 3, 53-52. In 15 games, they have scored 869 goals, third in total behind Thunder and Loughborough Lightning.
The Season Opener was a great event and featured a great game between Manchester Thunder and London Pulse.
It was the first run out for the new group of Thunder girls led by the brilliant World Cup Silver medallist, Nat Metcalf. Imogen Allison, Paige Reed and Elmeré van de Berg making their debut, becoming Thunder 76, 77 and 78 respectively. Elmeré’s first game in the UK coming off the back of a small ankle injury has pushed her to now having an impressive 91% shooting accuracy.
Thunder were composed and clinical in their first outing of the season. The attack had a strong Pulse defensive circle to contend with and that will be the same this time around. Pulse’s Funmi Fadoju picking up 4 intercepts and 15 deflections in the season opener, and leading the way with 43 intercepts and 136 deflections this season so far is one of the players that Thunder’s attack will be working on keeping quiet. With Jade Clarke returning to great form, Alicia Scholes mixing C and WA wonderfully and Olivia Tchine sitting at 93% shooting success, this game is going to be the one to watch.
Looking at the statistics from the game, Thunder only registering 1 rebound, an offensive rebound by Paige Reed but 5 intercepts, 16 deflections and 17 gains and an 85% shooting success rate against a top 4 side is incredibly impressive.
Leading 16-11 from Q1, 26-20 from Q2, 39-30 from Q3 and a game-high 17 goals in Q4 taking the victory 56-40. We were able to keep the penalties down to 31 throughout the game, showing clean and effective defence throughout the court.
We sit on a 9 game win streak and London Pulse sit on a 10 game win streak, meaning it’s going to be an electric game of netball.
AO Netball Manchester Live is shaping up to be the best event of the NSL 2024 season, where Thunder’s crowd promise to bring the noise and support the players on court.
Karen Greig, Thunder’s Head Coach and Franchise Director said, “I’m delighted to be playing at the AO arena again and what a game to be hosting as both ourselves and Pulse push for a top two finish in the league to ensure a home semi final.”
“We welcome Pulse who have also qualified for top four and I know are going to bring their A game to ensure a spectacle of a game.”
“I would like to say a huge thank you to AO and Manchester City Council for supporting the games and enabling us to play on the big stage.”
Game Day Details
Location:
AO Arena
Timings:
3.30pm – Doors open
4.15pm – Celebrity Charity Showcase game starts – raising money for We Love MCR Charity
(The charity showcase is included in the cost of your ticket)
5.05pm – Celebrity Charity Showcase game ends
(The game is made up of 4 x 8 minute quarters, with a 4 minute break between quarters 1 and 3, and a 10 minute break at half time.)
6.00pm – Main NSL game: Manchester Thunder vs London Pulse
6.34pm – Half time (12 mins)
7.20pm – Main game ends
7.25pm – POTM presentation
7.30pm – Player signatures and pictures (20 mins)
8.00pm – Spectators must have left the arena
The game is made up of 4 x 15 minute quarters, with a 4 minute break between quarters 1 and 3, and a 12 minute break at half time.
The game is scheduled to finish at 7.20pm, where we will be announcing our Player of the Match. Once players have warmed down, there will be an opportunity to line up along the side of the court and take selfies and get autographs from the Thunder players. Don’t forget to tag us! @thundernetball
Tickets:
Tickets are available to purchase online until 12pm on Sunday 2nd June 2024 via our ticketing partner Ticketline by clicking here.
If you are looking to purchase group tickets (10 or more) please click here.
There will be a very limited amount of tickets available on the door, and you will be able to pay using card or cash.
Where to Watch:
Celebrity Charity Showcase:
Main Game:
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Youtube from 5.55pm.
We will also be giving live updates on our Twitter feed which you can view here.
As we prepare for our AO Netball Manchester Live event, we have put together everything you need to know ahead of the game, from how to buy tickets, where to go when you arrive, what you can and can’t bring with you, detailed timings and more! Click here to find out more.
Our Opposition – London Pulse
Head Coach:
Sam Bird
She said, “It’s always a cracking match to be involved in – and to be playing in the AO arena with what no doubt will be a brilliant atmosphere is really exciting for our players, fans and the club.”
2024 Results:
Round 1: Pulse 40 | Thunder 56
Round 2: Storm 46 | Pulse 62
Round 3: Pulse 53 | Lightning 52
Round 4: Team Bath 43 | Pulse 76
Round 5: Pulse 47 | Stars 54
Round 6: Rhinos 49 | Pulse 51
Round 7: Dragons 37 | Pulse 52
Round 8: Pulse 66 | Sirens 45
Round 9: Pulse 45 | Mavericks 43
Round 10: Pulse 76 | Team Bath 50
Round 11: Stars 50 | Pulse 72
Round 12: Pulse 49 | Rhinos 48
Round 13: Pulse 58 | Storm 53
Round 14: Sirens 45 | Pulse 63
Round 15: Pulse 59 | Dragons 48
Current Placing = 3rd (39 points)
Current Form = WWWWWWWWWWLWWWL
2023 Results:
Round 4: Pulse 51 | Thunder 58
Round 15: Thunder 49 | Pulse 59
2023 Placing = 2nd (lost 48 – 57 to Loughborough Lightning in the Final)
*Writers bias may exist in this statement
