Manchester Thunder left it late but it was a scintillating performance in the end to steal the victory from Team Northumbria by 53 points to 46.
A dominant first quarter from Thunder gave them a convincing lead which they managed to hold throughout the match, despite dropping a gear in the second and third quarters.
The noise escalated throughout the match at the Thunderdome as the crowd delighted in dazzling shots from Amy Clinton, Joyce Mvula and Kathryn Turner.
In the end a standout performance from Caroline O’Hanlon and some jaw dropping interceptions from Captain Emma Dovey were the difference between the home side and the visitors.
Despite an energetic opening quarter from Thunder the score was almost neck and neck by half time. The third quarter proved to be a close tie as the visitors ramped up the pressure but Thunder managed to run away with the match in the last ten minutes, effectively extinguishing any hope of a Northumbria come back.
Clinton and Turner headed up the attack for the first half, with Leota and O’Hanlon feeding some excellent balls to the two shooters. Backed up by in-form Captain Emma Dovey and birthday girl Kerry Almond, Thunder looked almost untouchable.
But Northumbria wouldn’t give up without a fight, and the visitors managed to reduce the deficit through the second and third quarters showing resilience under pressure.
The third quarter saw Karen Greig switch Amy Clinton out for Joyce Mvula at GS and Bea Skingsley on for Amy Carter at WD, two changes identical to those made at the same point in the previous win over Sirens.
The intensity dropped in the final minutes of the third quarter but it was back to business in the final quarter with Thunder managing to storm ahead and consolidate the victory.
Thunder broke back into their signature high pressure tactics for the last quarter, dispelling any chances of Northumbria taking the win. Thunder managed to capitalise on a number of chances in the final minutes, clutching the win to make it three in a row this season with Amy Carter named player of the match by Thunder sponsors UAP.
Starting 7s:
Thunder: GK Almond, GD Dovey, WD Carter, C O’Hanlon, WA Leota, GA Turner, GS Clinton
Northumbria: GK Mulheron, GD Kindred, WD Anderson, C Hall, WA Neal, GA Moala, GS Semple
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