Manchester Thunder saw their near two-year unbeaten record ended in a close defeat to Surrey Storm.
The North-West team lost their 23-game unbeaten run – going back to June 2021 – at the second round of the Netball Super League on Saturday.
Thunder last lost 41-38 to Team Bath and are one of the most successful teams in Netball history with only one team winning more titles.
The four-time champions started the league off on the right foot with a 68-42 win in the first round against Celtic Dragons earlier this month at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
There will be 20 rounds of Netball to be played with Thunder taking on Strathclyde Sirens in June, who they dominated last season in April by 73 goals to 51.
Head Coach and former England U21 player Karen Greig, blamed a slow start and said that the team “need to keep building those connections.”
With shooter Amy Clinton ruled out before the match due to a short-term injury, fellow goal attack Ruby Parker stepped in to take her place.
The first quarter Thunder fell behind leaving them with a six-goal difference at the half-time whistle.
The second half they didn’t manage to pull back meaning their winning streak was broken by the finalist favourites.
Storm player and coach Mikki Austin, said Thunder are a “world class team” and that she is always “up for a challenge.”
Surrey Storm play Saracens Mavericks while Manchester Thunder face Saracens Mavericks in round three on Saturday.
