Saturday 16 June 2018 23:51, UK
Manchester Thunder and Loughborough Lightning joined Wasps in securing their place in the Superleague semi-finals on a busy Saturday in the competition.
Defending champions Wasps rubber-stamped a return to the post season with a win over Team Bath on Friday night and two more teams from last season's final four joined them.
Lightning were beaten by Wasps in last year's Grand Final but ensured their return to the semi-finals with a 62-51 win at fifth-placed Mavericks, who themselves missed the chance to draw level with Bath in the final spot.
Thunder also put themselves back in the shake-up to make up for semi-final defeat last year - they were too strong for Surrey Storm, chalking up a 70-48 victory to take back up the motorway.
The final round of fixtures begins next Thursday after the one outstanding fixture is played on Monday night - Mavericks have another chance to draw level with Bath when they travel to face Wasps in Monday, live on Sky Sports.
In Saturday's two other matches, Severn Stars continued to finish the season with a flourish, beating Team Northumbria 63-33 and UWS Sirens recorded their fourth win of the season, beating Celtic Dragons i59-37 n Cardiff.
With Bath beaten on Friday, all eyes were on the University of Essex where the chase for the top four continued and in the end a dominant run either side of half-time was enough to give Lightning victory.
A fast start from Lightning was matched by Mavericks, who rallied to wipe out the visitors' early three-goal advantage, thanks to the accuracy of Karyn Bailey.
But having won all 10 games since the return from the Commonwealth Games break, Lightning are in relentless form, epitomised by their own goal shooter Peace Proscovia who ensured they ended the first 15 minutes with a 15-11 advantage.
There remained little between the teams until halfway through the second period when Mavericks stepped on the gas to lead for the first time thanks to impressive work from Sasha Corbin and Kalifa McCollin but that only triggered the pivotal Lightning response.
Impressive Wasps book top four slot and semi-final return
Bethany Coleman joined Proscovia In making no mistake under the post and a deficit soon became an advantage as they went through the gears in style and ended the half 31-27 in front.
Anna Carter's team carried on where they left off at the start of the third and by the end of an 18-5 run in their favour they had all but ended the resistance of the hosts.
Mavericks stuck to their task but every time they threatened a comeback a powerful Lightning team responded to pull away again and secure three points that keeps them in the race with Thunder and Wasps for a home semi-final.
After next week's final round of the regular season, the top two will have home advantage in the final four. All three teams have 42 points - Wasps with two games remaining to the solitary game facing Lightning and Thunder.
At Surrey Sports Park, Karen Greig's Thunder team were far too strong for Surrey, powering to a huge 22-goal victory that could prove crucial to goal difference with the teams so tightly packed.
Our live coverage continues on Monday with a top of the table clash from the penultimate round of the season as Wasps entertain benecos Mavericks host Sirens live on Sky Sports Mix, channel 121, which is free for all Sky customers, Main Event and Action from 7pm.
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