Storm lose out at Fast Net Grand Prix Finals

After winning the Surrey Confernece, it was a dissapointing end to the inaugural Fast Net tournament, with the home crowd left frustrated as Storm failed to take both their chances at getting into the final.

Match reports from both games below. More pictures and reaction to follow:

Surrey Storm 21 - 27 Northern Thunder

Storm’s first match was against the winners of the Northern conference, Northern Thunder; this was set to be a tough match. Quarter one started with Thunder’s power play round, Storm take first centre-pass, keeping hold of the ball for as long as possible to prevent goals from Thunder. Storm had good possession of the ball, with accurate passing between the centre court players, but Thunder was playing well and their good attacking skill made it hard for Storm to keep their tactical play. The quarter finished with a 10-2 lead to Northern Thunder.

Quarter two saw the game really getting underway with both teams playing hard for goals. There was brilliant play between Cookey, Dunn and Greenway, trying to close the goal difference, but Thunder managed to hold onto the lead with score standing 17-9.

Quarter three was Storm’s power play round and a chance to make up the points. It was a tense quarter; with Thunder still 7 points ahead with 3minutes on the clock and making Storm work hard to intercept their tactical passing. The quarter finished 22-19 to Thunder, not what Storm would have hoped for from their power play, but still all to play for in the last quarter.

The final quarter saw Storm feeling the pressure, with two misses from Dunn and with Thunder on target, saw the final score standing at 27-21 to Thunder. Not what player-coach Tamsin Greenway would have hoped, but Storm still had a chance at making the final in the qualifying match.

Surrey Storm 28 - 30 Yorkshire Jets

Storm’s second match of the night was against Yorkshire Jets and the pressure was on. Surrey Storm started quarter one well with, two consecutive goals and good play around the shooting third with fast play between Dunn and Cookey. Both teams played well but Storm just held onto the lead with the score 6-7 to Storm.

Quarter two was Jets power play and once again saw Storm’s tactical play. Storm’s defence, Holland and Bello made some good interceptions, but 3 missed shots from outside the shooting circle, meant Jets held the majority of play. The score standing 14-9 to the Jets.

Quarter three was Storm’s power play round and some strong play and fast passes from Cookey meant goals were flying in, but Jets were equally getting goals, keeping the score relatively even. A possibility for Storm to take back the lead in the final seconds, but a missed shot left the score at 22-21 to the Jets, but all to play for in the final quarter.

There was no messing around in the last quarter, Storm were feeling the pressure to make the final and this showed on the court. Storm defenders were working hard and with less than a minute on the clock, an interception turned the ball round to see Dunn shoot right on target from outside the shooting circle and scoring three points, taking Storm to the lead 28-27 and looking like a possible win. But the Jets matched Dunn’s shooting in the final seconds, equally scoring a three point goal. The final score 30-28 to the Yorkshire Jets. An exciting and well played finish to the game, but a disappointing end for Surrey Storm.

Next up: Superleague!

Storm now look ahead to their first Fiat Netball Superleague game away to Hertfordshire Mavericks on Thursday 19 January. You can watch the game live on Sky Sports 3.