Netball Super League | Round 10: Narrow victories for Storm and Lightning

Surrey Storm came out on top in a thrilling battle with Cardiff Dragons to edge further up the table.

Liv Tchine fired London Pulse to a record-equalling score against Team Bath whilst Manchester Thunder saw a clinical performance against Severn Stars prove their dominance on court.

Elsewhere, Lightning beat out Saracens Mavericks whilst Leeds Rhinos clinched a win over Strathclyde Sirens.

Storm narrowly edge out Dragons

Surrey Storm climbed closer to the top four with a gripping 58-55 victory over Cardiff Dragons.

The two teams sit fifth and sixth respectively and have been in a constant battle to soar further up the table.

But a narrow victory for Storm saw the Surrey side leapfrog their opponents and now sit three points behind fourth-placed Severn Stars.

STORM WIN IT IN CARDIFF ⛈️#SurreyStorm #SeeUsNow pic.twitter.com/rYXs4sek1s

— Surrey Storm (@SurreyStorm) April 19, 2024

Dragons took the early lead with Georgia Rowe shooting at 94 per cent to give her team the advantage but a switch in dynamic saw Storm take control in the middle quarters.

The visiting side saw a physical performance from Rachael Fee and Anya Wood in the circle whilst Proscovia Peace and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis overturned the score.

Sitting on a 44-40 lead with just 15 minutes to go, Storm held off a late comeback from the hosts to clinch the victory.

Pulse equal record score at home

London Pulse roared to a 76-50 win over Team Bath Netball as Isla May made her Super League debut for the home side.

The scoreline echoed Pulse’s highest-ever recorded victory of 76 goals with Alicia Scholes picking up the Player of the Match.

Final score and we equal our record score hitting 76 again!

76-50 Pulse win

Thanks to Bath for a great game and to our home crowd for blowing the roof off the @CopperBoxArena #NSL2024 pic.twitter.com/5TaAolVJJr

— London Pulse Netball (@Pulse_Netball) April 20, 2024

A dominant third quarter pushed Pulse ahead with 24 goals to 11 for Bath before a slower final 15 minutes gave Asha Francis’ side the opportunity to fight back.

Liv Tchine made sure that the record was on track with an incredible shooting performance throughout the 60 minutes of play, including slotting a goal whilst falling off the court in the third quarter.

Bath saw a promising first half of play with the score reading as 36-26 after two quarters, but a slow third 15 saw them struggle to keep pace and it was there that Pulse took their chance.

Cholhok shoots Lightning to victory

Lightning continued their winning streak at home with a tough 68-60 win over Saracens Mavericks.

The hosts pulled ahead early with Alice Harvey and Nicola Smith proving decisive in the defending third.

Smith notched a total of three interceptions, five deflections and six gains, firing from the starting line and helping her team to a stellar second-quarter performance of 20 goals to 15.

Another home win for Lightning! ⚡️💜#BringTheNoise | #NSL2024 pic.twitter.com/O08TlExPh1

— Loughborough Lightning Netball (@LboroLightning) April 19, 2024

With Lightning’s lead starting to grow, Mavericks worked hard to apply pressure and keep the scoreline in sight, with another defensive stand out performance from Razia Quashie.

Quashie was going toe-to-toe with Mary Cholhok in the circle and kept her cool with an interception and four deflections.

Cholhok contributed a staggering 65 of their 68 goals to hand her team the victory.

Carter helps Thunder keep their lead

Manchester Thunder eased to a 61-46 victory over Severn Stars.

Experience Kissimmee Player of the Match Amy Carter stormed to 42 feeds, two intercepts, two deflections and three gains to take control of the court and steer her side to victory.

It was a clear defensive dominance, with Shadine van der Merwe, Imogen Allison and Josie Huckle working together to deny the Stars attack.

Collected by Carter 🙋‍♀️

Amy Carter is rewarded for her intensity with a turnover in play and another on the board for @thundernetball 🎁#NSL2024 | #SeeUsNow pic.twitter.com/Q7GAzYo846

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) April 19, 2024

However, Sigi Burger was still able to clinch a 95 per cent attacking performance, sinking 35 goals to keep her team in the game.

Stars fought back in the first and third quarters, equalling their opposition’s effort in the penultimate 15 minutes.

But a strong final few from the home side, cheered on by the Thunder Dome held fire Thunder to their fourth win in a row and continued their run at the top of the table.

Rhinos roar to a win

Leeds Rhinos bounced back from their Round 9 loss to triumph 55-44 against Strathclyde Sirens.

With a series of injuries before and during the game, Rhinos were forced to make several changes throughout play.

Amy Braithwaite held strong in the early stages, sinking 18 goals before Joyce Mvula made an impact from the bench.

FT | We take the win by 11 against a strong @SirensNetball side 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/uhDBRfgTLC

— Leeds Rhinos Netball (@RhinosNetballSL) April 19, 2024

Cassie Howard dominated the mid-court once more with a stellar interception in the final quarter to keep her side in the clear.

Sirens saw a world of improvement since their trip to Yorkshire in Round 4, falling 73-34 to Rhinos that time around, with Hannah Leighton impressing in defence.

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