Photo credit: Ben Lumley
At the end of Round 5 of the Netball Super League (NSL) Loughborough Lightning have continued their winning streak, recording the highest goal scoring tally by any team so far this season, live and on demand on NetballPass*, BBC and Sky Sports.
Here is this week’s International Player Watch:
NIC Leeds Rhinos vs London Pulse
London Pulse came away with their second consecutive win following their game against Leeds Rhinos in Round 5, with England Rose Olivia Tchine standing tall under pressure.
Tchine was in fine form under the post for Pulse, scoring nine Amex Super Shots and 32 goals, shooting at 89% throughout the match to ensure the away side capitalised on their chances and remained hot on the tails of league leaders Lightning, as they sit in 3rd place just three points behind.
Tchine herself now sits top of the goals scored charts in the league, with 166 goals to her name.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
LexisNexis Dragons vs London Mavericks
LexisNexis Dragons have once again been involved in a nail-biting clash in the NSL, this time against London Mavericks.
It was the home side that started the contest the strongest, taking a 15-13 lead into the first break.
Australia’s Jacqui Newton and Wales’ Leah Middleton impressed in defence for Dragons, making six gains between them.
Newton now sits 2nd in the charts for both intercepts and deflections.
However, their defensive efforts weren’t to be enough in Round 5, as Mavericks made a final quarter comeback with England’s Suzie Liverseidge calmly leading the way in centre court, taking her total number of feeds for the season up to 161, the third highest in the league, as her team won 54 – 58.
You can catch up on this nail-biting clash on NetballPass*, here.
AO Manchester Thunder vs Nottingham Forest
AO Manchester Thunder got the better of Nottingham Forest at the Belle Vue Arena, with Australian Sophie Fawns running the show in attack and South African Nicola Smith a force to be reckoned with in defence.
Fawns was the real play maker at goal attack as she was clinical under post, whilst also constantly creating opportunities for England Rose Eleanor Cardwell.
Whilst at the other end, Smith put the Forest shooters under all sorts of pressure as she made four gains and 11 deflections, taking her season total of deflections up to 20 after only playing in three games so far this season.
Thunder went on to win this one 78 vs 53, and you can catch up on NetballPass*, here.
Loughborough Lightning vs Birmingham Panthers
Round 5 saw the return of Beth Durant (neé Cobden) to the Loughborough Lightning side, and the England Rose looked like she had never been away as she slotted in seamlessly at wing defence helping Lightning secure their 5th straight victory.
Durant made three gains, three deflections and received two centre passes.
Whilst in the shooting circle, Trinidad and Tobago’s Samantha Wallace-Joseph continued to impress as she scored 11 Amex Super Shots and shot at 92%, leaving her second of the goals scored chart and top of the Amex Super Shots chart.
A full team performance saw Lightning go onto win 83 – 69, making it the highest goal scoring tally for anytime in the league so far this season and meaning they are still top of the table as the only unbeaten team, whilst for Panthers the search for their first win continues.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Head to NetballPass now to catch up on all the action, ahead of Round 6 which starts on Saturday 4th April.
To view all the fixtures, results, where to watch information and more visit our Netball Super League page, here.
*Restrictions are in place – *Viewers in the England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, France and Poland will not be able to watch via NetballPass. Those in the UK will be able to watch all games across Sky Sports and BBC Sport, with more information here.