Newcomers Forest upset champions Lightning in derby

Yahoo

09-04-2025

Netball Super League newcomers Nottingham Forest stunned defending champions Loughborough Lightning 73-71 in front of a crowd of more than 2,500 at Motorpoint Arena.
The hosts led by three points at half-time in Nottingham but trailed by a point going into the final quarter.
However, South Africa international Rolene Streutker's 38 goals led Forest to a tense victory in the NSL's first East Midlands derby, with Lightning's Ella Clark missing a late chance to force extra time.
Later on Saturday, Manchester Thunder sealed their third win in a row by dominating Cardiff Dragons 72-47 at Utilita Arena in Cardiff.
Elmere van der Berg led the way with 38 goals as the Thunder moved up to second place, three points behind leaders London Pulse, who are the only unbeaten team this season.
Nottingham, one of two new sides in this year's revamped NSL alongside Birmingham Panthers, are fourth on six points, one behind third-placed Lightning.
On Friday, London Pulse maintained their 100% start to the season with a fourth consecutive success in beating Leeds Rhinos 72-53.
Pulse led 37-29 at the half-time and pulled further away in the second half to secure a comfortable win - the fourth straight game they have topped the 70-goal mark.
Pulse's Olivia Tchine scored 35, while Rhinos' Joyce Mvula had 27 at the Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield.
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Nottingham Forest head coach Chelsea Pitman: "They are the hunted because they are so successful. For us to beat them, for us to get that against a top-notch team, I hope the girls put it in the resilience bank.
"We want people to fall in love with Nottingham Forest netball. Let's make it 2,500 every week."
Loughborough Lightning head coach Vic Burgess: "We're not happy, we don't want to be on the losing side.
"We've got to back to the drawing board and be prepared to put in the work and not be in this position again. Great game."
Lightning's Hannah Joseph become the first player to pass 100 feeds this season, recording seven against Forest to now have 106 overall.
Thunder's Elmere van der Berg leads the way as top scorer, with 162 goals at a shooting accuracy of 87%.
Forest's goal keeper Jayda Pechova has the most rebounds, with 11.
Round four fixtures
Friday, 4 April
Leeds Rhinos 53-72 London Pulse
Saturday, 5 April
Nottingham Forest 73-71 Loughborough Lightning
Cardiff Dragons 47-72 Manchester Thunder
Sunday, 6 April
London Mavericks v Birmingham Panthers (16:00 BST) - live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app, and on demand
Round five
Friday, 11 April
Nottingham Forest v London Mavericks (19:30 BST)
Saturday, 12 April
Manchester Thunder v Leeds Rhinos (17:00 BST)
Loughborough Lightning v Cardiff Dragons (18:00 BST) - live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app, and on demand
Sunday, 13 April
Birmingham Panthers v London Pulse (18:00 BST)