Thunder move level at top of NSL with Rhinos win

Manchester Thunder moved level on points with London Pulse at the top of the Netball Super League after a 70-57 win over Leeds Rhinos.

Rhinos had reduced the lead to two with eight minutes remaining, but a late surge from Thunder saw them pull away.

Goal attack Elmere van der Berg led the way with 30 goals for Thunder, who have now won four of their opening five matches.

The result sets up a top-of-the-table clash next week, with Thunder travelling to London to take on unbeaten leaders Pulse.

Also on Saturday, Loughborough Lightning claimed their third victory of the season with a 70-63 win over winless Cardiff Dragons.

Samantha Wallace-Joseph led the way for Lightning with an impressive 40 goals in just her second appearance of the season.

It was a much improved performance from Dragons, who put up their best score of the campaign, but it wasn't enough to earn a result.

The defeat leaves them without a point after four games and rock bottom of the NSL.

On Friday, London Mavericks moved on to 11 points for the season with a 67-56 win over Nottingham Forest.

Australian goal shooter Emily Andrew led the way for the Mavericks with 41 goals, while Emma Thacker chipped in with six.

Loughborough Lightning head coach Vic Burgess: "I'm pleased with the win. I felt that we started a lot better in the first half. I feel like there were a few times in the game where we could have pushed on and we will be looking to work on that. I'm really happy with the win but want to keep pushing to develop and pushing to be better every time we are out there."

Cardiff Dragons head coach Reinga Bloxham: "I think we gave ourselves an opportunity today, which was really good. We stayed in touch, we just weren't clinical enough when we won the ball. I think in terms of consistency it would be [the best game so far] but we still let ourselves down with little errors. If we can eliminate those, a feel like a win is getting closer."

Round five

Friday, 11 April

Nottingham Forest 56-67 London Mavericks

Saturday, 12 April

Manchester Thunder 70-57 Leeds Rhinos

Loughborough Lightning 70-63 Cardiff Dragons

Sunday, 13 April

Birmingham Panthers v London Pulse (18:00 BST)

Round six

Friday, 18 April

London Pulse v Manchester Thunder (19:00) - live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app, and on demand

Saturday, 19 April

London Mavericks v Loughborough Lightning (17:00)

Birmingham Panthers v Nottingham Forest (18:00)

Cardiff Dragons v Leeds Rhinos (19:00)