Storm strike Thunder in thriller

Hemel Storm edged a thriller to overcome Worthing Thunder and end their streak of narrow defeats on Saturday night. 

They were beaten by two and six points against Nottingham Hoods and then Essex Rebels over the last two weekends, but got over the line to secure a 101-94 victory at the StormDome this time out. 

Both sides are named after weather extremities and at times it felt like this game was played in a gale. It was back-and-forth stuff, compelling chaos, all played in front of a raucous crowd. 

Storm were keen to push the pace and the result was a game played at a frighteningly-fast tempo, a factor Tom Baker believed worked in his side’s favour. 

It made fantastic viewing for the neutral, and an enthusiastic crowd were entertained right until the last. 

Matt Norman found some rhythm and ended with a game-high 27 points, causing problems both inside and outside the three-point arc. 

Elsewhere, Darien Nelson-Henry fought hard in the paint and thoroughly earned his 19-point double-double. 

They’ve been there or thereabouts in virtually every game this season, losing by single digits on eight occasions, and the playoff places are out of reach with five games to play.

They’ve perhaps lacked the confidence and composure to get over the line consistently, with the all-important winning habit deserting them, but this result may give them the belief they need to close the campaign on a high. 

They face an away double-header next weekend, visiting London Cavaliers on Saturday and Bristol Hurricanes on Sunday, before returning home for three consecutive games to end the year. 

Norman opened proceedings with a three, although it was immediately cancelled out by former Storm man Bode Adeluola. And that set the scene for the tie as a whole, Storm often finding themselves ahead but unable to fully escape the grasp of the Thunder. 

The lead reached nine halfway through the first period, but the guests pulled it back to five by its end, 24-19. 

They were level soon after and there was nothing to separate the sides throughout the second, the difference never exceeding four. The half-time buzzer came at 49 apiece, all to play for with 20 minutes left. 

Consecutive threes from Norman and Kai Walker, who had 14 points and nine rebounds, started the second half in style for the hosts, but they couldn’t pull away from a resilient Thunder. 

Five straight points from the guests saw them take the advantage into the final period, 75-77 the score at the end of the third. 

It was a frenetic fourth and the noise from the stands was deafening. The home fans roared their troops on but a 10-0 Thunder run had them six ahead with less than four minutes to play.

But Storm responded with 10 unanswered points of their own to reclaim a four-point lead with a minute on the clock, and they held their nerve at the line with the Thunder forced to foul.  

Photos from the game can be viewed here.

Their short trip to Uxbridge College tips off at 5.30pm on Saturday, before they're back in action at 1pm in Bristol the following day.

Storm return to home action on Saturday 28th March when Newcastle Knights make the long journey south. Tip off is 7pm. Tickets are available on our Fanbaseapp.

Written by Callum Humphrey