Loughborough Lightning crush Hertfordshire Mavericks in the Vitality Superleague

Loughborough Lightning cemented top spot in the Vitality Superleague table with a demolition job against Hertfordshire Mavericks on Monday night.

Loughborough showed why they're the team to beat this season as they cruised to a comprehensive 72-51 victory.

The world-class Peace Proscovia was in lethal form in front of goal as she helped the hosts into an 18-10 opening quarter lead and they gradually took over against an inexperienced Mavericks' side to extend their advantage to 35-23.

Lightning continued with the same intensity and produced some quality turnovers to extend their advantage to 52-36 by the end of the third quarter before running away with the final quarter to win by 19 clear goals.

"I'm really excited with my performances throughout the season, and the team spirit that we have has lifted me higher and higher," Player of the match Proscovia told Sky Sports Mix.

"All the teams have been tough which gives us the motivation to work harder and prepare well."

Loughborough can confirm number one spot in the table should they overcome Celtic Dragons and Team Northumbria before their final game of the regular season against Surrey Storm.

Winning coach Karen Atkinson hailed duo Proscovia and Ella Clark, saying: "The pair of them were fantastic. They worked really well together. Ella came in halfway through the season so it's been building and I'm really pleased with the way it's been working.

"What makes me really, really proud is the squad we have and the way the players are on the court and off the court. I know winning helps, but the girls have created that. They've been outstanding as people and players."

Opposition coach Robyn Broughton felt Loughborough were far too strong in all areas of the court: "I thought they were very good. They knew what they were doing, they're tough, they're strong, and they were really swift with the ball."

In the night's other matches, Wasps confirmed their place in the Final Four in Manchester with a big 58-44 victory at Manchester Thunder, which helped them move three points clear of their opponents.

Fourth-placed Surrey Storm sealed a comfortable 69-57 win at Celtic Dragons while Team Bath stayed in touch with their own play-off chances by defeating Northumbia 56-44.

Sirens secured a key victory by beating Severn Stars 59-45 to remain six points behind the leading pack.

You can follow the next Vitality Superleague clash between Wasps Netball v Surrey Storm on Sky Sports Mix from 7.15pm on Monday, May 22, and don't forget to catch all the action across our Sky Sports platforms. Follow us @SkyNetball.

The regular season league home and away matches run from February to June, culminating in semi-finals and a Grand Final to determine the league champion.