Netball Superleague: Manchester Thunder earn dramatic late win

Manchester Thunder came from behind to beat Celtic Dragons 54-51 in a thrilling round-five encounter.

The Welsh hosts opened up a 14-10 advantage after the first quarter and led by two going into the final stage.

But Thunder, second in the table, produced a stunning comeback to snatch their fourth victory of the campaign.

Elsewhere, Yorkshire Jets lost 57-40 to Team Bath, Hertfordshire Mavericks won 51-41 at Northumbria and Surrey beat winless Loughborough 60-40.

In Monday's fixture, the Mavericks ended a three-game winning run for the Newcastle outfit and leapfrogged their opponents into fourth on goal difference.

Manchester remain one point behind leaders Surrey in the standings, ahead of Team Bath by two points.

Thunder coach Tracey Neville told the club website after Saturday's game: "We had an awful start and I felt I had to change it early, the girls who came on had an impact and changed the game for us.

"We struggled with our flow throughout the game and we looked lethargic, but we showed character and had to dig deep to win."

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Friday, 28 February: Team Bath v Celtic Dragons

Saturday, 1 March: Hertfordshire Mavericks v Yorkshire Jets; Loughborough Lightning v Manchester Thunder; Team Northumbria v Surrey Storm

RESULTS

Round One - 30 Jan-3 Feb

Hertfordshire Mavericks 49-45 Celtic Dragons; Team Bath 59-45 Team Northumbria; Loughborough 34-53 Yorkshire Jets; Manchester Thunder 48-55 Surrey Storm

Round Two - 7-8 Feb

Team Bath 41-54 Manchester Thunders; Yorkshire Jets 44-66 Surrey Storm; Team Northumbria 62-52 Celtic Dragons; Loughborough Lightning 28-42 Hertfordshire Mavericks

Round Three - 10 Feb

Hertfordshire Mavericks 38-48 Manchester Thunder; Surrey Storm 48-48 Team Bath; Celtic Dragons 61-41 Loughborough Lightning; Yorkshire Jets 50-52 Team Northumbria

Round Four - 15-17 Feb

Hertfordshire Mavericks 47-48 Team Bath; Loughborough Lightning 41-52 Team Northumbria; Manchester Thunder 60-40 Yorkshire Jets; Celtic Dragons 48-69 Surrey Storm.

Round Five - 21-24 Feb

Yorkshire Jets 40-57 Team Bath; Celtic Dragons 51-54 Manchester Thunders; Surrey Storm 60-40 Loughborough Lightning; Team Northumbria 41-51 Hertfordshire Mavericks