Manchester Thunder defeat Sirens in Vitality Superleague

Manchester Thunder clocked up their first Vitality Superleague win of the season with a hard-fought 53-49 victory over the Sirens at Robinson College on Saturday.

Thunder came out of the blocks at break-neck speed, firing themselves into an early four-goal lead, but the game evened out in the second quarter as the Sirens scored five on the bounce, with Thunder seemingly still in the changing rooms.

The second half was a topsy-turvy contest but Thunder's centre court trio of Bea Skingsley, Marshall and Beccy Hoult swiftly brought an end to Sirens' momentum.

Thunder took the initiative midway through the third quarter with ever-reliable goal attack Kathryn Turner settling some tension with a succession of difficult attempts.

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Staying focused in the fourth quarter had proven a problem for Thunder in the opening two games of the season, but they kept their composure and pushed on in the closing phases to take a well-earned win.

Thunder captain Emma Dovey said: "It's great to get the first win. The first two games didn't go how we wanted but we're really happy with that win.

"The fans lifted us and were our eighth player. We'd looked at our fourth quarters, which had been letting us down. We addressed that today and had - almost - four consistent quarters."

On Friday, Severn Stars earned their first win, inflicting a third defeat of the season on Celtic Dragons while in Saturday's other match, Surrey Storm hammered Team Northumbria 63-46. Wasps remain top of the standings after defeating Hertfordshire Mavericks 51-47 on Sunday.

You can follow the Vitality Superleague on Sky Sports 3 and Sky Sports Mix from 7.30pm on Monday, when fourth-placed Team Bath host third-placed Loughborough Lightning in a crunch clash.

You can follow all the Vitality Superleague action on Sky Sports Mix through the season and across our Sky Sports platforms. Follow us @SkyNetball