Manchester Thunder coach Tracey Neville has challenged her team to step up their game after watching them beat Hertfordshire Mavericks to advance to the Netball Superleague semi-finals.
With their season on the line in this fourth versus fifth place play-off, the Thunder pulled away in the second-half to book a date with Team Bath on Sunday.
Neville rang the changes at half-time, introducing 16-year-old Alice Travis, and she was pleased with how her team responded in the second-half.
“Overall we’ve now had the practice of ‘The Showdown’ now it’s time to step up to reality,” she said.
“The injection of pace from Mavericks at the start of the game disabled our structure and confidence on the ball. Our decision making suffered under pressure.
“The turning point in the game came by the formation of a stronger defence structure containing the Mavericks attack preventing them having easy access to the circle.”
The Thunder started slowly and were 10-9 down after the first quarter, as they struggled to cope with Hertfordshire’s physical approach.
The second quarter was a back and forth affair, with both defences dominant for long stretches, but Manchester went on a late four-goal run to lead 22-20 at the break.
Unhappy with her side’s performance, Neville introduced Travis at goal shooter, moved Janelle Lawson out to goal attack while Beth Cobden came on at wing defence and Laura Malcolm moved to centre.
These changes brought more structure to the Thunder side and they started to pull away, building up a 35-29 lead by the end of the third quarter.
Mavericks star Sasha Corbin was moved to centre in the fourth quarter as her team tried to claw back the deficit but the Thunder hung on for an impressive win.
Picture courtesy of Manchester Thunder, with thanks
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