Manchester Thunder secure big win over London Pulse

Following the win from the first game of the season against Strathclyde Sirens, Thunder started as they meant to go on and went out all guns blazing.

Karen Greig's strong words after their slow start last week certainly rang in the players' ears as they were 8-0 at one point during the first quarter.

Pulse seemed to be lacking the connections between players, struggling to find space and Thunder took full advantage and continued their dominant open quarter, finishing on 18 – 7 and the second quarter brought the same level of power and finesse from the Thunder players as they worked the ball down the court with relative ease.

Their ruthless nature saw the goals continue to pour in. Cardwell and Mvula barely missed a shot, taking up every opportunity to score but also the defence hardly let London Pulse near the goal.

The halftime score saw Thunder strolling in front at 33 – 13. Changes were made on both sides with youngster Lois Pearson coming on at goal attack and Caroline O’Hanlon at wing attack which is a small change from her preferred centre position, but she continued to show her skill making some great interceptions.

The danger decreased with each goal the northerners scored but Thunder continued to put the pressure on Pulse, which was represented in the third-quarter score of 44-21.

They remained in fairly control in the final quarter to hold onto the lead for the win.

Netball UK Player of the Match Emma Dovey noted how they “only got into second gear last week so tonight we stepped that up but there’s definitely more to come from us over the rest of the season.”

Head Coach Karen Greig said: “The quick start eluded us last week and it is something we looked at in training this week in terms of our purpose and intensity from that first whistle, I think we really showed that tonight. Really proud of what the girls put out; it was great to see that transition of what we’ve actually done in training go into the game.”

Netball UK Player of the Match: Emma Dovey (Manchester Thunder)

Match report from Manchester Thunder

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