Match Report

Thunder roll on in Glasgow

No sign of Glasgow Wildcats skipper Leslie Macdonald under the post after she just missed out on a late fitness test for the visit of Northern Thunder, as the Co-operative Netball Superleague resumed after the international break. The last time the Wildcats took to the court they were playing for Scotland against the World number one’s. Australia happy to use the chance to play two matches against Scotland as a warm up and admitted being impressed with a much improved national side.

There have been rumblings about the fast improving Northern Thunder, who before the break, seemed to have kicked up a gear in the push for a place in the play-offs. England head coach Sue Hawkins among those tipping the side to go all the way to the Grand Final this time around. The visitors put their mark on the match early on running in the goals in the first quarter which they won 17-8 before strangling the supply of ball to the Wildcats shooters in the second to win that one 16-4 taking a 33-12 lead into half time.

It was the first time this season that the Scots had played without their skipper and although reports say the on-court combinations have been working well in training, it took a while for the Scottish seven to bed in. But the second half saw the Wildcats click. McNeill, a strong shooter, was instantly providing more shots on target and partnered with Higgins got the flow of ball under the post. They were battling well against the Superleague dark horses and only lost the quarter by one goal.

Thunder had been forced into a shooting change of their own in the second quarter and while Enziano stayed on the the third quarter and was pretty accurate, the amount of possession had dried up. Possibly that was due in part to the departure of Jade Clarke rested for a quarter after her recent tour of duty with England, maybe it was down to the Wildcats rally.

More changes in the last quarter for the visitors as Glasgow Wildcats held their nerve having grown in confidence across the 60 minutes. The second half performance was complete turnaround, amazing when you consider the absence of their experienced captain. And it was the wise heads of Thunder that rolled over the finish line the winners 31-53 as they push for a third place finish in this season’s Superleague.

Glasgow Wildcats head coach Denise Holland thought it was very much a game of two halves, and preferred to focus on the last one. “It was an impressive, dynamic and confident second-half performance both in attack and defence,” she said. “All very positive for the wildcats.”

Ice-baths then for the ’Cats who will be looking to recover in time for the last half of their double-header weekend, with their re-scheduled match against Team Northumbria from Superleague Round 5 on court on Sunday 28th, February, 2010. If the weekend is anything like this game, the Glasgow Wildcats will be starting the second half stronger.

By Lisa O'Sullivan

Match Umpires

Chris Wilson Smith and Louise Travis with Dawn Heron