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.