At an early stage in the game, the Tornadoes led by 16 points and it is the second time in the space of a month they have narrowly beaten the North-West team.

Cassie Jordan and Maria Harding created plenty of opportunities for the Tornadoes and last night's victory will keep the team near the top of the SEABL ladder.

Penny Shaw top scored for the Thunder with 15 points including two from long range and Lisa Pardon and Briana Hutton both reached double figures.

¤¤¤ THE North-West Thunder has suffered another home court defeat after losing to the Canberra Gunners in overtime at Devonport last night.

The Thunder went down by a point during the extended five- minute period and the loss followed a two-point defeat at Burnie the week before.

In its premiership year in 2004, the Thunder lost only two of its 14 home games but now finds itself well down the SEABL South Conference table.

This season is in direct contrast to last year when the Thunder won its first 13 games as the team now sits 2-4 and is on the road next week to Geelong and Albury-Wodonga in a tough interstate double.

The Canberra Gunners lead the East Conference ladder in the SEABL and the Thunder found it difficult to counter the twin towers of 203cm Anthony Petrie and 205cm Paul Denman last night.

Petrie finished the game with a match-high 38 points and the majority of them came in the first half.

SCOREBOARD

Launceston Tornadoes d North- West Thunder 66-58

Scorers - Launceston: J Crouse 18, C Jordan 12, M Harding 11. North- West: P Shaw 15, B Hutton 13, L Pardon 12.

Best - Launceston: C Jordan, M Harding, J Crouse. North-West: P Shaw, S Beard, L Pardon

Canberra Gunners d North-West Thunder 93-92

Scorers - Canberra: A Peitre 38, P Denman 19, Z Todoroski 9. North- West: D Carlisle 22, M Bedden 20, B Armstrong 18

Best - Canberra: A Peitre, N Johnson, I Callaghan. North-West: D Carlisle, B Armstrong, L McGaffin