Share Manchester Thunder defeated Wasps 88-57 at the CBS Arena to break the Vitality Netball Superleague record for goals scored in a game and extend their lead at the top of the table. The visitors wasted no time in showing why they are undefeated so far this season, with their attack seemingly unstoppable in the opening minutes as they stormed into a nine-point lead. Wasps were keen to prove they would not be easily defeated and forced a number of errors to turn over possession and go on a short run of their own. Temporarily taken aback by this sudden surge of momentum, which had been encouraged along by a vocal home crowd, Thunder took a few minutes to readjust and stop Wasps offensive flow. Wasps captain Josie Huckle was locked in a heated battle against Thunder’s Joyce Mvula, who proved difficult to pin down beneath the net. Mvula racked up a number of goals to put her side 17-23 ahead at the end of the quarter. The second quarter allowed Wasps to fight back, picking passes more carefully and thus finding goal shooter Rachel Dunn more frequently. Mel Mansfield’s side piled the pressure on the visitors as they closed the gap down to just 3 points, but Thunder’s Goal Keeper Kerry Almond grew wise to Wasps’ tactics and managed to intercept a number of feeds headed towards Dunn, cutting off their attack and stemming the goal flow. From this defensive base, the away team powered on at the end of the period to push 9 points clear on the scoreboard and go into the half with a towering lead. It was a lead which the undefeated Thunder built upon in the third quarter, as the league leaders flexed their offensive muscles. Capitalising on every minor Wasps mistake, the visitors charged ahead in this third period through the relentlessly accurate shooting of Eleanor Cardwell and Mvula. The pace of passing from Manchester Thunder also caused chaos for Wasps across the court, forcing the home side to chase the ball at times. At the end of the quarter the away side had stretched their lead to 14 and showed no sign of slowing down. Wasps, like the rest of the Vitality Netball Superleague this season, were unable to find an answer for Thunder’s incredibly fast and ruthless play style. The Manchester side were unstoppable in the final quarter, dominating both interceptions and goals to the dismay of the Wasps fans. Rookie Darcy Griffin made her debut for the Wasps in the fourth period, but that was all the home side had to cheer as the game drew to a close. Karen Greig and her side cruised to a 57-88 victory in the end, proving why no side can defeat them this season and stretching their lead to nine points at the top of the VNSL table at the end of play. Share Tags: Wasps Manchester Thunder