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Read Sonia Mkoloma's diary

Captain Sonia Mkoloma writes a regular diary for BBC Sport

27.01.08 Brunel Hurricanes pre Team Bath

Members of the Brunel Hurricane's netball team spoke to BBC London's Steve Bunce on the sports show about their match against Team Bath tomorrow.

Click on the link below to listen to the interview:

22.05.07 Netball gets a makeover

The Brunel Hurricanes team get a makeover. Click on the link below to have a look:

24.02.08 Hurricanes strike to overpower Thunder

Brunel Hurricanes charge for the playoffs continued today with a dominant win over Northern Thunder in the Netball Co-operative Superleague by 69 goals to 12.

A crowd of over 700 turned up in force to see Brunel take on the bottom placed Northern side in Brunel’s last home encounter of a bumper season which has seen over 4000 spectators watch the Hurricanes in action.

It wasn’t the close hard tussle that we have seen in recent weeks in the Co-operative Superleague with Thunder bringing down a depleted squad of just seven players and no substitutions after suffering many injury problems but Hurricanes coolly went about their work in efficient fashion notching up their third win in a row.

Brunel’s England star Sonia Mkoloma was back in the starting line up, playing her last home encounter before heading off to New Zealand side “Pulse” in the new professional ANZ Championships.  She lined up alongside England team mate Naida Hutchinson and in-form Aussie Kate Mahony at wing defence who helped back up a defending unit which quickly ensured a 5-0 lead for Hurricanes in the opening minutes.

From then on there was only ever going to be one winner and one outcome and Brunel used the opportunity to try different combinations including a second half appearance by Talent and Hurricanes shooter Rhianne McHale who made her Hurricanes debut at shooter and marked an impressive fourth quarter.

Wing Attack Natalie Francis showed some lovely movement in attack and Hutchinson turned over numerous balls in fine style as Brunel eased their way to a comfortable victory.  Thunder were plagued by injuries and shooter Halmah De Song battled on injured throughout many time outs and pain until the last moments of the match when Thunder were reduced to six players.  Never once did they give up though and Sarah Taylor at centre showed particular steel and determination in the first half with some nippy runs.

Brunel now have to step up a gear for this Friday’s massive away encounter against London Rivals Mavericks, which depending on Monday night’s outcome of the clash between them and Loughborough Lightning, could just be a playoff decider. 

Hurricanes next two matches are must wins to keep the chances of making the playoffs alive and coach Holland was pleased to be able to seal another win and look at various options, she stated; “Tonight was an opportunity to play the entire squad, testing various combinations before two important weeks for Hurricanes”.  She added; “It was a thoroughly good effort by everyone and we were able to take coaching points and tasks to the court effectively”.

Mavericks v Hurricanes this Friday at 8.00pm is sold out but if you want to travel away to the last match of the regular season against Lightning to cheer on the Hurricanes, tickets are available by visiting: http://www.loughboroughlightning.co.uk/

Match Statistics

Brunel Hurricanes:
GS Vicklyn Joseph, GA Lara Welham, WA Natalie Francis, C Katie Nichols, WD Kate Mahony, GD Sonia Mkoloma (capt), GK Naida Hutchinson.
Subs: Stefania Bello, Sam Dick, Donna Fearon, Rhianne McHale, Camilla Buchanan.

Changes:
2nd Q: Camilla Buchanan to C.
3rd Q: Rhianne McHale to GS, Donna Fearon to WD.
4th Q: Kate M to GD, Sam Dick to C, Stefania Bello to WD.

Northern Thunder
GS Nichola Szehofner, GA Halmah De Song, WA Krystal Gayle, C Sarah Taylor, WD Natasha Greenhough, GD Lisa Ferneyhough (capt), GK Yasmin Ghazizadeh

Score Statistics:
Quarter Time Score: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
(Hurricanes/Thunder) 15-6 18-3 16-2 20-1
Progressive Score: 15-6 33-9 49-11 69-12

Shooting Statistics:
Brunel Hurricanes 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Jospeh (GS) 10/13 12/16 - -
Welham(GA) 5/7 6/8 5/7 7/7
McHale (GS) - - 11/20 13/15

11.02.07 Brunel Hurricanes Netball Interview

Stephanie Bello and Camilla Buchanan spoke to the BBC London 94.9 Sunday Sport Show:

Click on the link below to listen to the interview: