Round 3 Review: Pulse get revenge as Stars go top

Elsewhere, Severn Stars’ highest-ever score saw them go top of the table with the Worcester-based side one of only two undefeated teams left.

The other is Manchester Thunder as they claimed a dominant win while Surrey Storm and Cardiff Dragons notched their first victories of the campaign.

Pulse get revenge

London Pulse got one over Loughborough Lightning with a dramatic 53-52 win in front of a record crowd at the Copper Box Arena.

The two sides traded the lead throughout the game, with Olivia Tchine excelling at goal shooter for the hosts.

Alicia Scholes drove Pulse’s attacks while Halimat Adio and Funmi Fadoju were slick in defence.

They did not have it all their own way as Beth Cobden excelled for Lightning but a late held ball swung the momentum in Pulse’s favour and they held on for a huge win.

A standout performance from start to finish, 93% shooting accuracy and a winning smile 🫶

Your @Kissimmee Player of the Match is @Pulse_Netball‘s @Liv_Tchine 🤩#NSL2024 | #SeeUsNow pic.twitter.com/v058ooFv9P

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) March 2, 2024

Player of the Match Tchine said: “Playing against Lightning is always hard, we knew it would be a hard battle.

“It is always great to be back home, playing against the champions and getting a win.

“After a difficult start to the season, we had to remember what our aims were and that we are all on the same page.

“We are giving our all in training to make sure that we are ready for games but not just that, that we can win.

“I love playing with Lis [Alicia Scholes] you never know what to expect. She is so fast and her vision on court is so good for a young age.”

Dragons take a nail-biter

Cardiff Dragons went close to notching their second draw of the season before securing a thrilling 55-54 win over Leeds Rhinos.

Having drawn 48-48 with Saracens Mavericks at Season Opener, Dragons withstood a strong fightback from Rhinos to take their first win of the year.

After a patient opening quarter, Jill McIntosh’s charges clicked into gear to hold an eight-goal lead at half-time.

We get our first win of the 2024 season🐉

Always a great battle against @RhinosNetballSL 👏#NSL2024 #RHINOSvDRAGONS pic.twitter.com/oHhRp9TbTo

— LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons (@cardiffdragons_) March 2, 2024

Rhinos then won the third quarter by seven goals to cut the lead before moving ahead with just minutes remaining.

The teams went goal for goal before Khanyisa Chawane stole the ball for Dragons to see them claim the win at the death.

Stars hit new heights

Severn Stars put on a show live on the BBC as they recorded their highest score with a 72-44 win over Team Bath Netball.

The visitors made a quick start, opening an eight-goal lead after the first quarter with Sigi Burger shining in the shooting circle.

The South African missed just two shots across the match, scoring 46 of Stars’ goals as Jo Trip’s side entered the half-time break with a 15-goal advantage.

From one circle to another ☄️

Immense pressure from @severnstars defence sees possession change hands, with the visitors taking the ball to goal quickly and @sigiburger notching another up for her side 📈 #NSL2024 l #SeeUsNow pic.twitter.com/cInjCGnnPe

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) March 1, 2024

Once again, the Stars bench made an impact with Lefebre Rademan and Betsy Creak providing 21 goals between them as Ella Powell-Davies made three deflections.

Emma Barrie helped Bath produce a late surge, but it was not enough to stop Stars’ winning run.

Storm shine in first win

Surrey Storm defeated Saracens Mavericks 59-48 with a composed win at Surrey Sports Park.

There was little to separate the two sides before Proscovia Peace, continuing her return from maternity leave, scored four goals in a row to see the hosts hold a three-goal lead at the break.

Mavericks then netted three in a row to spark signs of a comeback, but Storm remained calm to extend their lead with 15 minutes to play.

STORM WIN AT HOME 🌀#SurreyStorm #SeeUsNow pic.twitter.com/Vj3yPlnrP4

— Surrey Storm (@SurreyStorm) March 2, 2024

Rachael Fee impressed for her new team as she produced five deflections and five gains in the game as Storm opened their biggest advantage in the final quarter and held on for a deserved victory.

Thunder show their might

On the lookout for a fifth title, Manchester Thunder claimed a third straight win with an 81-41 win over Strathclyde Sirens.

Thunder put together three near-perfect quarters before Sirens displayed their determination to draw the final quarter.