Celtic Dragons 53, Manchester Thunder 55
Centre Kyra Jones was player of the match for Celtic Dragons during an intense, hard-fought Vitality Netball Superleague match against Manchester Thunder.
The teams were locked at 51-51 with four minutes left and Dragons went desperately close to regaining the lead at that stage.
Thunder edged ahead in an exciting, dramatic finish, scoring the decisive goal with two seconds left.
Dragons can take a lot of satisfaction from their team performance, but they must find that extra edge to close games out when they are close.
They are at home again on Bank Holiday Monday, May 1 when Hertfordshire Mavericks are the visitors to the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff. Tickets for spectators are priced at £5.
Their Green Army supporters will turn out in force for another match at the top level of League netball in Britain.
The starting seven for Dragons was GK Kelly Morgan, GD Lois Rodeout, WD Stacey Peeters, C Kyra Jones, WA Bethan Dyke, GS Eleanor Roberts, GA Kalifa McCollin.
Thunder started with GK Kerry Almond, GD Emma Dovey, WD Bea Skingsley, C Gabs Marshall, WA Liana Leota, GA Kathryn Turner, GS Joyce Mvula.
Roberts and McCollin combined well in the early stages, creating space for each other, while the vision and passing of Peeters produced some good moments.
Dragons led 17-14 after the first quarter and kept with the same seven players. They were still ahead at half-time, leading 30-28.
Once again coach Trish Wilcox kept faith with the starting seven, although Fern Davies took over at GD during the quarter. Lois Rideout returned in that role for the final 15 minutes.
Manchester went ahead at 47-43 going into the final quarter, but Dragons responded with spirit and character.
They won that session 10-8 and with a couple of seconds left were only one goal behind, but Thunder scored next to earn a dramatic victory.
It was an entertaining match with both teams contributing.
Quarter scores (Dragons first): 17-14; 13-14 (30-28); 13-19 (43-47); 10-8 (53-55).
Vitality Superleague Netball
Celtic Dragons remaining home fixtures – all at Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff
May
Monday 1 v Hertfordshire Mavericks (4pm)
Monday 15 v Surrey Storm (7pm)
Saturday 27 v Wasps (4pm)
June
Saturday 3 v Team Northumbria (2pm)
Tickets for all Dragons home games can be found at celticdragonsnetball.com
Vitality Netball Superleague fixtures on Monday:
Monday, May 1: Surrey Storm v Team Bath (3pm), Celtic Dragons v Hertfordshire Mavericks (4pm), Wasps v Severn Stars (6pm), Manchester Thunder v Team Northumbria (7.30pm), Sirens v Loughborough Lightning (7.45pm).