Northern Thunder have had a perfect season so far in the FIAT Netball Superleague with seven wins from the seven games, but they really raised the bar in the clash with Team Northumbria especially at the shooting end. (Team Northumbria 39 v 69 Northern Thunder).
Team North have recruited a new shooter in a bid to add to their goal tally: Namibia’s Jatjinda “Toetsie” Kambatuku is her country’s first representative in an overseas league competition. At a guess, Newcastle is a little more chilly than Toetsi’s home but the welcome was just as warm, and once her debut nerves had evaporated in the heat of battle the shooter was able to start delivering goals.
But it was Northern Thunder who excelled in the shooting department this time out. It looked to the crowd as if they weren’t going to miss; Karen Greig, a superb Superleague captain, dropped 96% of the shots she put up, 42 of the 44, Charley Beenham missed only one (7 from 8), 100% for Kathryn Turner who netted all three attempts and Lynsey Armitage 17 from 21, 81%.
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It turned into a match for both sides to ring the changes - Northern Thunder were able to give their entire squad a run out which meant a first FIAT Netball Superleague appearance for Rachel Taylor.
Team North in turn used the match to give their debutant Jatjinda Kambatuku plenty of court-time and the opportunity to work with different goal-attacks.
“Today’s games was a must win for us,” said Thunder coach Suzy Chapman. “It was good to try different combinations and I must say well done to rachel taylor on her debut.
“We played some good netball and also the match gave us some things to work on for our next match against Leeds on Thursday.”
Captain Karen Greig “We lost concentration at times but were able to press on to the result we needed. Good preparation for the tough week we have ahead of us with 3 games in 5 days.”
Lisa O’Sullivan – England Netball Match Reporter, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
