Manchester Thunder have taken the 2019 U19 NPL title after a near-perfect season.
After narrowly missing out on lifting the trophy last year, Thunder won eight of their nine games and scored a league-high 528 goals in an impressive campaign to finish top of the table.
They showed that they meant business from the off with two comprehensive wins – 32-69 vs. Team Bath and 38-57 vs. Severn Stars – on the opening weekend at David Ross Sports Village in December.
Thunder then edged out defending champions London Pulse in a tense and nail-biting 53-52 victory before themselves being on the wrong side of a one-goal game, losing 47-48 to Loughborough Lightning.
They quickly bounced back to though, recording a dominant 28-80 victory away to North East and then getting the better of both Wasps Netball (49-40) and Leeds Rhinos (37-63).
The final eight fixtures of the competition were all played on Saturday 13th April at the University of Birmingham as an exciting season came to a close.
Thunder were crowned champions after wins against Surrey Storm (61-41) and Mavericks (37-49) on the closing day with Wasps Netball secured a second-place finish and last season’s winners London Pulse coming third.
A huge thank you to all the players, coaches, officials and volunteers for their hard work during another fantastic season.
Congratulations to all teams involved, especially to Manchester Thunder on winning the U19 NPL title.
View all the results and final standings from the season here.
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