1 week ago
A beardown second-half show helped Netball Super League leaders Manchester Thunder conclusion closest rivals Loughborough Lightning and widen their advantage astatine nan apical of nan table.
Thunder, who went into Saturday’s crippled against nan reigning champions apical connected extremity difference, were 30-29 down astatine nan interval.
But they outscored nan location broadside 17-13 successful nan 3rd 4th and held connected successful a frantic finale to triumph 61-57 and spell 3 points clear.
Victory was revenge for Thunder who mislaid to Lightning successful Manchester earlier successful nan season.
“We were good up for today,” said Thunder’s Imogen Allison. “It was a really well-contested crippled – each in installments to Loughborough, it was a reliable one.
“This is immense for america and gives america large assurance aft they hit america astatine home.”
Elmere van der Berg vanished pinch 41 goals for Thunder and Lois Pearson added 20, while Lightning’s Mary Cholhok scored 50 to cement her spot astatine nan apical of nan league’s goalscoring charts.
London Pulse stayed successful touch pinch nan apical 2 but were fixed a scare earlier holding disconnected Leeds Rhinos 49-48 for their seventh triumph successful a row.
Pulse, who are now level connected points pinch Loughborough, were 29-25 down astatine nan break but led 40-38 going into nan 4th quarter.
They were 3 goals up pinch conscionable complete a infinitesimal to go, and though nan Rhinos scored doubly it was not enough.
Surrey Storm stay successful contention for nan play-offs pinch a 63-56 triumph complete Team Bath, led by Proscovia Peace (40) and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis (20).
Storm were 35-31 up astatine nan break but extended that to 55-41 by nan extremity of nan 3rd quarter, and though Team Bath rallied successful nan last quarter, nan visitors held connected for victory.
Elsewhere, Saracens Mavericks cruised past Strathclyde Sirens 57-41 pinch nan Scottish broadside still awaiting their first triumph of nan season.
On Sunday, Severn Stars will proceed their push for nan play-offs erstwhile they return connected Cardiff Dragons.
