Netball Super League | Round 6: Lightning silence Thunder’s winning streak

(Photo by Stephen Gaunt of Touchlinepics.com for Manchester Thunder)

Loughborough Lightning ended Manchester Thunder’s unbeaten run in the Netball Super League in comprehensive fashion live on the BBC.

The two sides now sit equal on points at the top of the table, with Karen Greig’s side holding top spot thanks to a hefty goal difference.

Elsewhere, Cardiff Dragons triumphed over Severn Stars and London Pulse held off a charging comeback from Leeds Rhinos.

Lightning silence Thunder’s roar

Loughborough Lighting halted Manchester Thunder’s winning streak with an impressive 64-52 victory on the road.

Thunder took a narrow lead in the first quarter but the score was quickly reversed as Lightning struck and surged ahead.

The Mary Cholhok and Josie Huckle match-up started off as one for the books but a defensive change for Thunder soon saw Huckle subbed out and the Lightning shooter took that as prime opportunity to run riot.

On the other side of the court, Nicola Smith produced another storming performance as goal defence but it was Alice Harvey who was awarded the Kissimmee Player of the Match, clinching six deflections in a crucial period to push her side ahead.

Thunder roared back in the fourth quarter and sliced the gap from 16 to nine in just five minutes but it was not enough for the Belle Vue side and they were held to their lowest score of the season so far.

Dixon from the deep 🤩

💥 A huge ball from Rhea Dixon finds Mary Cholhok in the circle, as @lborolightning secure their win against @thundernetball. #NSL2024 l #SeeUsNow pic.twitter.com/1Kq9GHRFLD

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) March 23, 2024

Dragons soar above the Stars

Cardiff Dragons edged a dramatic 48-46 win over Severn Stars in front of a raucous Welsh crowd.

The home side took an early lead, holding a two-goal advantage after the first quarter and didn’t let up the entire match until a last effort push by Stars levelled the scores with just two minutes to go to set up a thrilling finish.

Two turnovers for Stars saw Sigi Burger and Lefebre Rademan net three goals in a row to equalise but a Nia Jones interception halted their hopes of a last-minute comeback.

Jones’ antics led to her claiming Player of the Match, sealing the victory for her team in incredible fashion.

Dragons wing attack Khanyisa Chawane was a standout on court with 28 feeds into the circle helping set up Phillipa Yarranton, Hannah Passmore and Georgia Rowe.

The triumph also marked the first time that Jill McIntosh’s team were with their full contracted 12 players, as Elle McDonald made her return from injury, showcasing their strength to take their third win of the season.

Delight for Dragons 👏@cardiffdragons_ secure their third win of the season, edging past rivals @SevernStars in a thrilling clash that went down to the wire. #NSL2024 l #SeeUsNow pic.twitter.com/j5ytS0dbGd

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) March 23, 2024

Pulse fend off charging Rhinos

London Pulse held off a late scare from Leeds Rhinos to clinch a 51-49 victory under the Friday night lights in Hull.

In front of a sell-out home crowd, Liana Leota’s Rhinos charged back in the second half to challenge the visitors but were unable to topple their visitors from the capital.

An impressive defensive partnership between Halimat Adio and Funmi Fadoju cut off the options for Rhinos, with star shooter Joyce Mvula doubled marked by the pairing.

But Mvula shone when she could, missing just one goal all game.

🦷 Tooth and Nail 💅

It’s intercepts galore in the final minutes of play with both @RhinosNetballSL and @Pulse_Netball fighting hard for every single ball 😰#NSL2024 | #SeeUsNow pic.twitter.com/Ih8oMEGgdh

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) March 22, 2024

An inspired second quarter performance from Kissimmee Player of the Match Zara Everitt was vital for Pulse who stretched out to a 29-22 lead at the break after a fairly equal start, the captain notching eight deflections and one interception throughout the game.

Rhinos roared back in the final two quarters, with a re-introduction of former Pulse player Cassie Howard making a crucial difference but it was not quite enough as Pulse held on for a two-goal victory.

Quashie inspires Mavs to dominant victory

Razia Quashie led Saracens Mavericks to a dominant 71-50 victory over Strathclyde Sirens in Scotland.

An emphatic first half for Mavericks saw the soar to a 21-9 lead, outsmarting Sirens in physicality and defensive pressure.

Quashie picked up an impressive six deflections and four interceptions at goal keeper in a high scoring match.

The Mavericks mainstay perfectly linked up with Vicki Oyesola to deny the Sirens attack but the Scottish side had a revived second quarter and battled back to draw the 15 minutes.

Mavericks magic 🪄@R_Quashie_ claims 4 interceptions, 6 deflections and 4 gains and aids her @SaracensMavs side to a huge win on the road despite @SirensNetball claiming a half century 👏🏻#NSL2024 | #SeeUsNow pic.twitter.com/B72LrKw7Mc

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) March 23, 2024

Working as goal attack, Sirens’ Sammy Ngubane was impressive in the circle, operating at a 91 per cent success rate under the post whilst also dominating the middle third with 23 centre passes received.

Despite their fight back, Sirens were unable to overcome the power of Mavericks who sit comfortably in the middle of the table with three wins to their name.

Drakeford-Lewis dominates for Storm

Surrey Storm leapt to a 60-44 win over Team Bath Netball after a stunning Sophie Drakeford-Lewis performance.

Bath held a marginal lead of one after the first quarter but ultimately succumbed to Mikki Austin‘s side as they battled to get the win in a fiesty final quarter.

Drakeford-Lewis didn’t put a foot wrong in the circle, netting 28 goals at a 100 per cent success rate whilst also notching 14 feeds, 18 centre passes and a pick up.

Success for Storm ✅

🙌 After a huge final quarter, the home side bounce back to secure the victory, making it their third home win of the season.#NSL2024 l #SeeUsNow pic.twitter.com/AcdTgtZXEk

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) March 23, 2024

Bath continued to push back and defensive pressure from Tash Pavelin and Jayda Pechova saw the pair clinch five interceptions and eight deflections between them.

Despite the stats, Storm were not able to soar ahead of Bath too easily, with their lead ebbing and flowing throughout the second and third quarter.

But a final 15 minutes from the home side saw them grab a 16-7 win in the final quarter alone to take the overall victory.

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