Wins for Thunder and Lightning as title race builds
Manchester Thunder have lost just once in 11 games this season
- Published
Manchester Thunder and Loughborough Lightning continued their strong start to the Netball Super League season with wins in week 11.
Both sides have only lost once this season and are level at the top of the table on 30 points.
Thunder are top on goal difference after their win over Surrey Storm.
The league leaders dominated the second half to win 73-48, earning their fifth straight win since their only defeat after 11 games this season.
Thunder led Storm by four at the halfway stage but the league leaders dominated the third quarter to extend their advantage to 15.
They did not relent from there, adding another 20 points to their total in the final quarter to complete a commanding win.
Elmere van der Berg top-scored for visitors Thunder with 45 goals.
Paige Reed contributed 16, while in response for Storm Proscovia Peace (26) and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis (15) hit double figures.
Lightning had a fast start to thank for their win over Leeds Rhinos on Sunday.
Their commanding 64-56 win was secured at the First Direct Arena in no small part to a dominant opening quarter when they opened an 18 points to 10 lead.
Mary Cholhok top scored for Lightning with 53 goals.
Saturday's other fixture saw the Saracens Mavericks beat Team Bath 53-44.
On Friday, London Pulse eased past the Severn Stars to stay third in the table.
The 72-50 victory gave the in-form Pulse their sixth consecutive win.
Goal shooter Assaindey Olivia Tchine shone with 47 goals, supported by goal attack Berri Neil with 25.
The Stars stay in fourth place, which would see them secure the last semi-final spot.
"It was an intense start, and it took us a bit of time to ease into it," said Pulse's player of the match, Alicia Scholes.
"It was a physical game, but after we lost to them earlier in the season, the win feels really good."
Sigrid Burger scored 38 goals for Stars, but their attacking play was restricted by Funmi Fadoju's impressive defensive effort.
In Friday's other fixture, Strathclyde Sirens' wait for their first win of 2024 continues after a thrilling 54-54 draw with Cardiff Dragons.
Goal shooter Georgia Rowe scored 30 goals for the Welsh side while her opposite number Bethan Goodwin added 39 for Strathclyde.
Nothing separated the teams throughout all four quarters, with the scores also tied at 31-31 at half-time.
But the draw gives the struggling Sirens their first point of the season.
The Dragons remain sixth in the table but they are four points behind the Stars in the final play-off spot.