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Netball: Almond and Greig dominate as Thunder slay the Dragons

February 12, 2025

Celtic Dragons arrived in a cold Manchester Thunderdome on Saturday evening hoping to blow out a first placed Northern Thunder team and put some heat out on court. Thunder were coming into the game with 3 wins from 3 and an improvement with every minute on court.

Captain Karen Greig is increasing her court time each game and would be hoping to get on court and influence the score line to the hosts’ advantage. The visitors have shown some positive play at the start of the season and, despite a disappointing loss to Team Northumbria, Head Coach Melissa Hyndman would have rallied her troops and made sure that Thunder would not be in for an easy ride. The hosts scored an impressive 61 against Celtic Dragons, who scored 39.

As the first quarter started, both teams came out hard, with Dragons’ favourite attacking weapon Lottysha Cato scoring the first of the evening. Each team were evenly matched for the majority of the opening quarter, with shooters exchanging blows and Janelle Lawson of Thunder was looking increasingly confident and cool under the post. It became noted very quickly that the home side Goal Keeper, Kerry Almond, was on a mission and began causing problems for the Dragons attack and importantly the feed into Cato, The boisterous home crowd were continually reinforcing their appreciation for Almond’s efforts in defence. The first quarter finished with a lead of 14-9 to the hosts; some increasing unforced errors from both sides were going to leave both Coaches with something to say.

Coach Tracey Neville opted for some changes in the second quarter, introducing the ever reliable Karen Greig and Rachel Henry on at their respective positions in attack. Greig wasted no time in showing the opposition what her side have been missing as she scored from range with her first goal of the game. Thunder were beginning to take further control of the game with the England duo Sara Bayman and Emma Dovey picking up the loose passes in centre court. The visitors’ Crystal George was fighting back hard against the returning Greig but couldn’t quite stop the passing that was fusing between Lawson and Greig. However, it wasn’t all down hill for the Dragons as there were occasional moments of swift passing from Stephanie Williams and Suzy Drane.

At Half time Thunder were in the driving seat with a lead of 27-16, Melissa Hyndman must of said the magic words in the changing rooms as the away side came out fired up. Kyra Jones moved to WA and Nicola Thomas came on at GA. The FNSL this season is rarely short of excitement as we found once again with Kerry Almond walking off court having been sent off by the umpire, the home crowd erupted in dismay as Dovey was left to fend in the citcle for herself. By the end of the third quarter, Thunder had stretched their lead further with Greig looking comfortable back in her place under the post with the accuracy that never seemed to leave her. Flashes of strong play from Dragons were intermittent but it was not enough to catch up on the deficit that had already been made.

With a final push in the fourth quarter, Thunder were looking to add to the goal difference to cement their place at the top of the FNSL table. The hosts remained firmly in control for the remainder of the match to ease to a comfortable win. The final whistle blew to seal a 61-39 victory in the hosts favour. Thunder defender Almond was an immense figure all evening, plucking passes from mid-air and blocking balls like she was in the Olympic Volleyball Squad. She was a driving force in winning the game and was awarded Player of the Match for her sparkling performance, much to the admiration of the crowd.

Next up for the Dragons is a chance to bounce back with a clash against Yorkshire Jets in Cardiff, a match that could well have a great impact on the top four positions. In round five, Thunder have a mouth-watering top of the table match against Surrey Storm as the two undefeated teams go head to head for the first time this season

England Netball Report, www.englandnetball.co.uk
Sportsister, The Women’s Sport Magazine

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