The Thunder and Tornadoes teams were victorious on Sunday in the opening round of the 2008 Super League championship at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire.

Thunder, coached by England A Head Coach Mike Barnett and Richard Arnold, edged a 14-12 win against the Stormers with England flanker Maggie Alphonsi and England Under 20s player Marlie Packer touching down for tries.  Dani Knight also kicked two conversions. Tries for Stormers’ Catherine Spencer and Georgina Crabb were not enough though with Wasps fly-half Shelley Rae kicking just one conversion.

In the second match the Tornadoes, coached by former England A Head Coach Amanda Bennett and Mark Francis, ran away with a win registering a 29-0 victory against the Celtic Hurricanes.

Tries from Emily Scarratt, Sam Dale, Shelley Lloyd (2), Katy McLean and two conversions from the boot  of McLean secured the win.

Ends…