Tamsin Greenway is gearing up to revenge Surrey Storm’s only defeat this season, being injured when Storm played Northern Thunder away in the Fiat Netball Super League earlier this season, she is now keen to regain that superior feeling.
Winning is a well-known sensation for the talismanic England international who has previously won four league titles for Team Bath and has enjoyed great success since joining Storm.
When Surrey Storm host Northern Thunder on Monday Greenway could prove to be that emphatic force of creativity and flair which will give Storm a three-point lead at the top of the table in Phase Two of this year’s Super League.
“It was hard for me not to play last time, but it was the right thing to do as I couldn’t risk putting myself out for the whole season,” she said.
“I think I bring some calmness to the attack end, but it’s nothing that they can’t achieve without me, we have plenty of experienced players who can step up and take the lead and that’s what I’m encouraging them to do,” the former Bath University student said.
Storm’s four game winning streak came to an end in February, when they travelled to Manchester to play Northern Thunder in the top-table clash to determine who would win Phase One in the Super League.
Northern Thunder was already favourites to win, and when player-coach Greenway had to remain on the bench due to a hamstring injury, it was always going to be difficult for Storm.
They eventually lost 67-48, after some vigour attacking display from Thunder and Greenway thinks that better teamwork on Monday will improve Storm’s chances significantly to revenge that.
“I’m honestly just looking for a better team performance, I was really disappointed the last team we played them as we were poor, they are a quality side so I’m not expecting perfection but I want us to put things we’ve been practising into the game and really take it to them,” she said.
The week later, when hosting Celtic Dragons at Surrey Sports Park, Greenway was back from the injury and proved the importance of her leadership and tempo, securing a place for Storm in Tier One when they blew over the Dragons 74-50.
“The win today was necessary to secure a place in the top four, we were awful last week and never really got going, but today we really showed what we can do,” the 5ft 9in, England international said after the match in February.
Surrey Storm then went on to win the final two games of Phase One over Northumbria and Bath, finishing second, three points behind Northern Thunder.
Both of whom are now unbeaten in Tier One, Phase Two of the Fiat Super League after playing two games each and Greenway is hoping that maybe a home advantage may play a role as well.
“Playing at home is an advantage, it’s less travelling for the girls and of course our fantastic home fans,” she said.
Greenway is very well aware of the threat Northern Thunder possess, despite not being on the court when the teams met in February. The Manchester team has had impressive attacking performances this season, which have led to England call-ups for both Emma Dovey and Kerry Almond.
Captain Karen Grieg did not start Thunders’ last game, a 62-39 home win over Bath, but came on half way through to propel Thunder forward to a victory and is expected to start against Storm on Monday.
“I think this game could be the toughest in terms of having something to prove,” Greenway said.
Northern Thunder will travel to Surrey Sports Park full of confidence, having scored 564 points and conceding only 335 points, this season.
Surrey Storm, who has been equally impressive going forward has scored 555 points, they have however conceded more points with 423 throughout the season.
Both teams however are as confident as Cristiano Ronaldo would be playing non-league football, with remarkable results this season.
Despite dominating this year, neither of the two title contenders has won the Fiat Super League before. Only Hertfordshire Mavericks and Team Bath have managed that accomplishment, with Bath winning it four out of six times, all of the times with Greenway as ever-present as her belief in achieving the same with Storm.
“Of course we want to win, I step out on to court every time wanting to win however, wanting to win isn’t enough, we need to be smarter with our play and work together as a team,” she said.
Which is Greenway’s plan when the two sides clash in Surrey on Monday for the battle of the Phase Two victory, before the playoff starts and the season reaches its ultimate climax.
“It’d be great to get a win under our belts, but like wise it won’t be the end of the world if we don’t. Playoffs is where it all needs to come together,” the player-coach concluded.
The game is played April 2nd, 20:00 at Surrey Sports Park, Fiat Netball Super League
