Wasps Netball defeat Manchester Thunder to maintain perfect Vitality Superleague record
Friday 4 May 2018 10:51, UK
Wasps Netball sealed a dramatic 64-60 win against closest rivals Manchester Thunder to maintain their perfect season record in the Vitality Superleague on Friday.
The league leaders faced their toughest challenge this year and Thunder closed to within one goal until the final minute before a flurry of late goals pushed the black-and-gold advantage to four goals and left Wasps victorious.
The victory means Tamsin Greenway's team have now beaten every opponent in the Vitality Superleague this season and top the table with 10 successive wins to stay perfect, inflicting just a second defeat of the season on Thunder.
Netball director Greenway praised her side for coming through the toughest of tests against second-placed Thunder.
It shows what we can do when we are challenged all over the court and matches like this will help us prepare for the Final Four at the end of the season, which we hope to reach.
"This was a really good win. It was a test right from the start and I was very proud of how the team came through," she said. "Thunder never give up and never back down. They were exceptional, so to come away with the win shows what we are capable of as well.
"We wanted a high pressure game and it needed a top team performance to come through. George Fisher was in brilliant form - she is always improving as a player.
"It shows what we can do when we are challenged all over the court and matches like this will help us prepare for the Final Four at the end of the season, which we hope to reach."
Three games take place on Saturday, with Sirens hosting the brilliant 'Bring Your Boys' initiative aimed at building on netball's popularity after the Commonwealth Games, where Scotland continued their progress.
Sirens were unable to record their second win of the season on home soil as Surrey Storm recorded a much-needed 58-44 victory.
Last year's runners-up Loughborough Lightning proved too good for Severn Stars as they wrapped up a 58-43 victory, while Team Northumbria sealed their first win of the season with a 56-51 success at Celtic Dragons.
The Vitality Superleague continues this weekend with our live coverage coming from the Copper Box when Mavericks host Team Bath. Coverage gets underway from 5.15pm on Sky Sports Mix, which you can find on channel 121, and is free for all Sky customers.
Wasps' next fixture sees them face UWS Sirens, on Saturday, 12 May, while Manchester Thunder travel to UWS Sirens on Saturday, 5 May.
Follow the 2018 Superleague season with us on Sky Sports and through our website skysports.com/Netball with news, previews, reports and expert analysis throughout the season. And also our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkyNetball - #BelieveTheHype
