Storm crowned Surrey Fast Net champions

Surrey Storm won the Cathedral City Lighter Fast Net Grand Prix Surrey Conference at Surrey Sports Park today, after a 25-19 win against Celtic Dragons in the final.

After a day of fast paced and exciting matches, playing under fast net rules, Storm won all their matches, coming out on top over Hertfordshire Mavericks, Celtic Dragons and Team Bath, at a sold out Surrey Sports Park.

Storm's first game of the Surrey Conference, Fast Net Grand Prix saw Surrey Storm vs. Hertfordshire Mavericks. In the first quarter both teams got off to a shaky start, with Mavericks playing well, but Storm turned the quarter around, Holland and Reid playing well in defending positions bringing the score 6-3 to Storm at quarter time.

The second quarter saw Storm’s power play, with the pressure on attacking end. Mavericks played tactically, to close the goal difference, making Storm defenders, Seaton and Holland work hard to intercept. Brilliant teamwork from Storm meant goals were flying in the net from Dunn bringing the end of quarter 2, 22-9 to Storm.

Quarter 3 was all Storm. Storm tactically held onto the ball, stopping Maverick’s chance of scoring big in their power play quarter. With a lot of play at Storm’s attacking end, Maverick’s only scored once, bringing the score 27-11 to Storm. The final quarter completed Storm’s victory with Maverick’s hardly seeing the ball, Storm played comfortably with the final score, Surrey Storm 33, Hertfordshire Maverick’s 14.

Storm’s second game was against rivals Team Bath. After an initial two point lead, Storm struggled to settle into the game and Bath took advantage resulting in quarter one ending 7-5 to Bath. Quarter 2 saw Bath’s power play and got off to an unsettling start for Storm with Bath making good passes. Again Storm held onto the ball, challenging Bath to intercept, some brilliant play between Greenway, Trippick, Cookey and Bello. Storm pulled back the growing goal difference with two brilliant shots by Dunn from outside the shooting circle, with quarter 2 ending 15-12 to Team Bath.

Storm’s power play was quarter three and they had everything to play for. Storm came out looking strong, teamwork really showed between Dunn, Cookey and Greenway, as Storm took the lead. Storm defenders applied good pressure to Bath, resulting in some untidy passes and a complete change in lead by the end of the quarter, the score standing 18-28 to Storm.

The final quarter went well for Storm, with Bath’s defence struggling to keep up with Storm’s attacking trio, Storm’s tactical play resulted in a 23-35 win.

In the final game of the group stage, Storm took on Celtic Dragons. The first quarter started slowly, with even play from both sides, but Celtic Dragon’s managed to take the lead, the score standing at 9-8 to the Dragons.

Quarter 2 saw Dunn back as GS, with this as their power play quarter; the pressure was on for the attacking end to perform. Greenway and Ainsworth made some good interceptions and once again, a shot from Dunn outside of the shooting circle, scored a massive four points in the power play, the score after this fast-paced quarter, 10-24 to Storm.

Quarter three was a chance for The Dragon’s to make up some points in their power play. Dragons’ Drane and Morgan played well but Storm had the majority of the play, once again passing between centre court players to keep hold of the ball. Storm allowed Celtic Dragons only three goals in their power play quarter, with the score 16-27 to Storm.

Quarter 4 saw some changes to Storm’s team, with Greenway and Dunn on the bench. Dragon’s defence was good and Storm made some small errors, not a strong end for Surrey Storm, but still a win at 24-30, seeing Storm through to the conference final.

After Mavericks claimed third place over Team Bath, the conference final, and final match of the day, once again saw Surrey Storm taking on Celtic Dragons. Storm’s starting line-up, including the attacking trio, Dunn, Cookey and Greenway. The Dragon’s applied good pressure in the first quarter and Storm were struggling to settle into a rhythm, with both teams playing evenly, it wasn’t a surprise for the score to be 7-7 at the end of Quarter 1.

Quarter 2 was to start well for Celtic Dragon’s as their power play, but at any chance Storm continued the tactical game they’d been playing all day. It was a slow quarter and The Dragon’s made it hard for Storm to hold onto the ball, a shot outside of the shooting circle by Cookey, saw Storm take the lead, 11-12.

Quarter 3 was Storm’s power play, which meant the Dragon’s would have to work hard to get the game back, their defending was good, but Greenway made some excellent passes into both Cookey and Dunn, resulting in Storm scoring 10 points, whereas the Dragon’s only managed one successful shot, 12-22 to Storm.

Quarter 4 saw a relaxed game from Storm but Dragon’s worked hard to pull back the goal difference, but Storm’s tactical playing had paid off and the final score stood at 19-25 to Storm, which saw Greenway's side crowned champions.

Surrey Storm will now play in the Finals Night at Surrey Sports Park on Friday 13th January along with Yorkshire Jets, Northern Thunder and Celtic Dragons. Tickets are still available to buy online via the Box Office here or by calling 01483 689111.

More pictures and reaction coming soon.