Netball Superleague: Manchester Thunder and Surrey Storm reach final

Surrey Storm beat Hertfordshire Mavericks 56-39 in last year's Grand Final

Defending champions Surrey Storm will face Manchester Thunder in the 2016 Superleague final on Saturday, 7 May.

Thunder overcame the disappointment of last year's shock semi-final defeat with a 53-46 victory over Team Bath.

In a repeat of last year's final, Storm beat Mavericks 53-51 in Saturday's second semi final.

Storm, who also beat Mavericks in the final game of the regular season, came back from seven goals down to take victory over their London rivals.

Thunder seeking redemption

Manchester Thunder were crowned Superleague champions in 2014

Manchester Thunder went into the final four seeking redemption having suffered a shock 48-41 defeat by Hertfordshire Mavericks in last year's semi-finals, despite going unbeaten through the regular season.

Dan Ryan's side raced into an 17-6 quarter-time lead courtesy of a strong start from captain Sara Bayman and calm shooting from Helen Housby.

Team Bath faced an uphill struggle but the five-time champions were resurgent in the second period and, despite Bath winning the final quarter, Thunder held out to reach their second Superleague final.

Surrey storm to victory

Hertfordshire Mavericks captain Layla Guscoth was named Superleague Player of the Year in 2014

In Saturday's second semi-final, last year's beaten finalists Mavericks began the stronger and took a 13-11 quarter-time lead thanks to the 100% shooting record of Sammy Wallace.

They extended the lead to seven in the second period, but dominant performances from Pamela Cookey and Rachel Dunn put Storm up 40-39 going into the final 15 minutes.

The scoreboard went back and forth as reigning champions Storm kept their cool in the final seconds to edge out Mavericks and reach their fourth final in five seasons.