Manchester Thunders back into NSL decider after classy win
MANCHESTER Thunder are back in the Netball Super League Grand Final after a 63-54 win over first-time finalists, Severn Stars. Ultimately the gulf in experience and class was the difference, with the Thunder proving why they have been one of the top teams for so long.
The Thunder got the better of the starts to the match, and by the time the halfway mark of the opening term came the margin was already out to five goals. The play kept breaking down on attacking first phase for the Stars, with passes being wasted and calls going against them.
It was a stark contrast to the Thunder, who were passing down the court with a speed and precision far higher than the Stars. That strong start for the Thunder helped them take a four-goal lead into the first change.
The second quarter began with a goal for goal battle, but after a crucially timed fumble from the Stars, the Thunder really bounced and doubled their quarter time lead. The Thunder were able to generate and capitalise off a lot more turnovers than the Stars did, and as such took a nine-goal lead into the main break.
Half number two began with the Stars taking a chunk out of the deficit, but ultimately they could not get more than a couple of goals closer to taking the lead. No matter how hard players like Jo Trip and Gabby Marshall tried, the Stars just couldn’t get any closer.
But, that changed as the quarter progressed, and all of a sudden the Stars were back within three. The Thunder did then steady like the champion side they are, but the Stars had shown that this result was far from decided. It was ultimately a four goal margin as the teams turned for home.
Despite the Stars having the momentum heading into the final term, Josie Huckle and later Imogen Allison had other ideas, and after both successfully pulled off several intercept and Elmere van der Berg and Paige Reed continued to convert up the other end, the margin was all of a sudden back up to seven goals.
This shift in momentum saw the Thunder’s class really come to the fore, and the Stars’ finals inexperience perhaps came back to bite them in the end. The Thunder lead quickly grew to a double-figure margin and it ultimately proved too much for the Stars to reel back in.
MANCHESTER THUNDER 17 | 15 | 12 | 19 (63)
SEVERN STARS 13 | 10 | 17 | 14 (54)
Diamonds win match, but Kiwis still come away with big prize
THE AUSTRALIAN Diamonds have avoided an undesired series whitewash against New Zealand, winning the final match of the 2024 Constellation Cup 63 goals to 50. Proceedings were tight early, but then the Diamonds were able to really put their foot down in the second and third quarters to really open up the game on […]
Kiwis claim series over disappointed Aussies
NEW ZEALAND has won the 2024 Constellation Cup after beating Australia 61-43 in the third test to claim the series. Diamonds’ coach Stacey Marinkovich swung the changes pre match, making three changes to the match day squad and a couple to the starting seven, but ultimately the outcome was the same result. By contrast New […]
Kiwis go two up, but not all hope lost for Aussies
NEW ZEALAND’S stranglehold of Constellation Cup matches in New Zealand has continued, after downing Australia again to take a 2-0 lead in the 2024 series. In what might have felt like a sense of déjà vu for Australia and its fans, New Zealand had a strong first half which really catapulted them to the successful […]
Kiwis crush Aussies to cause upset and go one up
NEW ZEALAND has put behind it some poor recent results and kept their strangehold on matches against Australia played in New Zealand, after winning Test 1 of the Constellation Cup 64-50. The game started out tight, but New Zealand surged ahead in the second term, turning a one goal quarter time lead into a nine […]
Kiwis claim consolation win in Taini Jamison series
NEW ZEALAND has won the third match of the 2024 Taini Jamison Trophy, winning 61-56 over England to pick up a consolation win despite having lost the series already. The match was tight early, but New Zealand pulled away in the end and contended with multiple England fightbacks to take the win. Early it was […]
Roses rule over Ferns again to win Taini Jamison
ENGLAND has defeated New Zealand again, winning the second test 59 goals to 55 to take the 2024 Taini Jamison Trophy. New Zealand was the better side in the first half, but after a massive third term the Roses took back control and ultimately held on for the win. New Zealand was the side to […]
England outlasts New Zealand to go one up in series
ENGLAND has got its visit to New Zealand off to the perfect start, defeating the Silver Ferns 59 goals to 58 in a hard fought first test of the Taini Jamison Trophy. After a bit of a chaotic start to the game, the Silver Ferns got off to a strong start and put the first two […]
Diamonds dominate Roses to win series
AUSTRALIA has won its series with England after winning the third and final test 69 goals to 56 in a dominating performance. Although the Roses pushed the Diamonds for much of the match, a lack of defensive turnover generation really hurt the visitors and the Diamonds ultimately ran away with the match in the final […]
Shooters excel as fired up England levels series
ENGLAND has hit back in Sydney, winning Game 2 of their series by two goals over the Australian Diamonds, levelling the series after a disappointing showing in Adelaide. A more physical contest was played out on Sunday afternoon, with England’s intent to atone for their Game 1 showing clear from the first centre pass. This […]
