Netball Super League: London Pulse edge Loughborough Lightning to move level on points

London Pulse produced a spirited away display to edge Loughborough Lightning 61-59 in a hard-fought clash between two of the top three sides in the Netball Super League.

Hosts Loughborough opened up a seven-point lead before London recovered to overturn the deficit and move in front by five heading into the final quarter.

Lightning hit back through an inspired Mary Cholhok – who scored 56 of her side’s 59 goals – but the visitors, led by Assaindey Olivia Tchine’s 44-goal haul, held on to claim victory and move level on points with their second-placed hosts in the table.

Elsewhere on Friday, table-topping Manchester Thunder stretched their winning run to 11 games with a comfortable 72-53 win over Strathclyde Sirens.

Elmere van der Berg top-scored with 53 goals as Thunder, who lead the standings by three points, maintained their impressive form heading into the semi-finals.

Strathclyde started well and were level after the first quarter before their visitors moved clear in the next three.

Severn Stars, meanwhile, claimed a 72-57 win over bottom-of-the-table Team Bath.

Betsy Creak found the net on 42 occasions to hand Stars victory and condemn Bath to a 16th defeat in 17 matches this season.

Cardiff Dragons host Leeds Rhinos on Saturday, while Saracens Mavericks welcome Surrey Storm in the penultimate round of league matches on Sunday.