Celtic Dragons Edged Out In Close Superleague Clash With Thunder

Manchester Thunder 62, Celtic Dragons 53

Celtic Dragons produced another competitive performance in their Vitality Superleague netball clash with Manchester Thunder.

The teams were locked at 36-36 during the third period, but home team Thunder emerged 62-53 winners.

Dragons now turn to their Superleague match at Hertfordshire Mavericks on Saturday (3.30pm).

Captain Suzy Drane and her team produced a spirited and intense performance against Thunder and it was a close match throughout.

Dragons’ starting seven were GS Eleanor Roberts, GA Kalifa McCollin, WA Bethan Dyke, C Kyra Jones, WD Suzy Drane, GD Lois Rideout, GK Leila Thomas.

Thunder opened an 18-14 lead and Dragons made changes with Rideout moving to goal-keeper and Fern Davies on at goal-defence.

Stacey Peeters was sent on at wing-defence.

At half-time Thunder were 32-26 ahead and Dragons made another change with Sara Bell playing goal-attack.

The away team produced a big spell in the third, recovering from six goals down to draw level at 36-36.

Thunder were under pressure and they made six positional changes in a bid to change the momentum back in their favour.

Going into the fourth quarter, Thunder led 45-38 and they finally emerged winners.

Quarter scores (Thunder first): 18-14; 14-12 (32-26); 13-12 (45-38); 17-15 (62-53).

The trip to Mavericks on Saturday is a fifth away fixture for Dragons, who must wait until next month to play at home when Loughborough Lightning will be the visitors to Cardiff on Monday, April 3 (7.45pm).

Details of all the Celtic Dragons fixtures and tickets for their home games can be found on www.celticdragonsnetball.com

Celtic Dragons team:

Leila Thomas. GK/GD. Aged 18, from Blaenavon.

Fern Davies. GD. Aged 20, from Holywell.

Lois Rideout. GK/WD/GD. Aged 25, from Ferndown, Dorset.

Kelly Morgan. GK/GD. Aged 29, from Bridgend.

Suzy Drane (captain). WD/C/WA. Aged 29, from St Mellons.

Bethan Dyke. C/WA. Aged 25, from Bridgend.

Stacey Peeters. WD/C. Aged 24, from Gore, New Zealand.

Kyra Jones. WD/C/WA. Aged 31, from Perth, Australia. Wales senior international.

Sara Bell. WA/GA/GS. Aged 26, from Llanelli.

Lydia Hitchings. GA/GS. Aged 19, from Vale of Glamorgan.

Kalifa McCollin. WA/GA/GS. Aged 21, from Trinidad and Tobago.

Eleanor Roberts. GA/GS. Aged 21, from Pontypool.

Head coach: Trish Wilcox.