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Storm taste first away defeat of the season

31 January 2011

Tamsin Greenway

Storm came unstuck at their first away fixture of the Fiat Netball Superleague season, losing 60-38 to Northern Thunder.

Storm travelled to Bury looking to continue where they left off after starting the season so well last week with a comfortable 58 – 32 win over Team Northumbria in front of a sell-out Surrey Sports Park.

Mary Beardwood’s girls felt ready for Thunder, utilising their warm up specifically designed by Simon Elkinson, but it was clear from the first whistle that the Bury based side meant business. It took eight minutes for the home side to take the lead courtesy of some signature Jade Clarke interceptions in mid court. But the 2-goal difference was hotly contested by the Storm defensive team of Reid and Seaton who piled the pressure on until the end of the first quarter. Q1: 11-9

Thunder bought on Turner at GA at the start of the second quarter, but Storm were quick to make up the difference with some strong rebounding from Gemma Cosentino, resulting in a 11-11 draw, four minutes in. Some excellent Greenway feeding saw the level result remain, until a spectacular Dunn long-bomb allowed Storm to take the lead for the first time. However, it wasn't long before Thunder found their stride and a great comeback from Greig meant the home team ended the second quarter 22-19.

Beardwood switched her attack at the start of quarter three, Cosentino moving out to WA and Greenway taking up the GA bib, whilst Thunder benched Rachel Henry, Jess Langman replacing her at WA. Thunder quickly capitalised on their lead before a Storm injury was called by Captain Greenway. This saw Tamsin move back to WA, Gemma and Stef to the bench, Rhianne on to GA and 17 year old Fran Desmond in the WD bib for her Superleague debut. Despite the changes, the home side were already making their mark and kept a 10 goal lead for the majority of the quarter. Q3 score: 40-30.

Coming from behind, the final quarter was always going to be testing for Surrey, so Katy Holland was dispatched from the bench to replace Seaton at Goal Defence. Despite some more great feeding from Greenway and Trippick, only eight goals saw the Storm score sheet, whilst the Northern contingent netted a swift twenty with the help of Charlotte Beenham's return following an injury to Turner. The final score was Northern Thunder 60, Surrey Storm 38.
After the game Mary Beardwood said, “Thunder had a great game today, Langham making a particular difference in the second half. I am pleased that once again our younger players have proved their worth, not looking out of place against some of the country’s finest. We improved on some of the mistakes from last week’s game and everyone on court gave 100%. We have lots to take away from the match and are looking forward to hosting Mavericks next week.” Surrey Storm’s player of the match went to Goal Keeper, Hannah Reid.

The next match for Storm is a sell-out against Mavericks on Monday 7th February, but don't worry if you don't have tickets. The game will be shown on Sky Sports on Thursday 10th February. Tickets for future games can be purchased from the box office at Surrey Sports Park, by calling 01483 689111 or online here.

Starting Line Ups

Northern Thunder GS: Karen Greig, GA: Charlotte Beenham, WA: Rachel Henry, C: Sara Bayman, WD: Jade Clarke, GD: Emma Dovey, GK: Kerry Almond Bench: Krystal Gayle, Jess Langman, Jodie Gibson, Krista Enziano, Kathryn Turner Changes Q2: Turner on to GA Q3: Langman to WA Q4 (injury): Beenham to GA

Surrey Storm GS: Rachel Dunn GA: Gemma Cosentino, WA: Tamsin Greenway, C: Becky Trippick WD: Stef Bello, GD: Natalie Seaton, GK: Hannah Reid Changes Q3: Greenway to GA, Cosentino to WA, (injury) Greenway to WA, McHale to GA, Desmond to WD Q4: Holland to GD