Error-strewn Thunder slip to first defeat

MANCHESTER Thunder slumped to a disappointing 49-55 defeat to Surrey Storm last night.

The Black and Yellows put in a performance littered with unforced errors and ultimately could do nothing about the defending champions inflicting a first Superleague loss of the season on them.

Surrey travelled to Manchester knowing they needed a win to get their title chances back on track and showed championship-winning spirit to prove it was a mistake for some to write them off after they lost to Loughborough Lightning on Saturday.

Thunder coach Dan Ryan accepts that his side were restricted by an organised Storm side who had ‘done their homework.’

The Australian said: “It was a really disappointing performance from us in all departments.

“Full credit to Surrey Storm, they were sensational and their intent and purpose really blew us away.

“We weren’t able to get into out rhythm or groove in any way and that really put us on the back foot, but it’s better to experience this in round six rather than when it really matters towards the end of the season.”

Thunder started slowly but gradually grew in confidence as the sides traded the lead early-on.

ENJOYED

The second quarter was cagey but Thunder, who beat Hertfordshire Mavericks 57-48 last Saturday, enjoyed their best period of the match when they forged a five-goal advantage.

Surrey allowed them to play with some inventive attacking play, led once again by the flair of Liana Leota.

But an error on the Black and Yellows centre pass at the end of the second quarter let Storm back in and the visitors were within two at the half time break.

The performance — in front of a sold out Thunderdome — dramatically started to unravel after the half-time break, with an organised Storm picking off wayward passes.

It was certainly no coincidence that Thunder’s defence was struggling to contain a lively Surrey attack, namely player-of-the-match Rachel Dunn.

Storm found themselves with a five-goal lead of their own and started to ask serious questions of Thunder’s attack.

The 2014 champions offered a glimmer of hope midway through the final quarter of getting something out of the game with some brave play from Sara Bayman, but failed to consolidate the turnovers they had worked so hard to win.

Surrey stood firm and emerged as deserving victors.

Thunder starting seven: GK Kelly, GD Gibson, WD Malcolm, C Bayman, WA Leota, GA Haythornthwaite, GS Housby.