Lightning end Thunder's perfect NSL start

Loughborough Lightning ended Manchester Thunder's perfect start to the season with a 64-52 victory at Belle Vue.

Thunder had won their first five Netball Super League games but the defending champions came out victorious with an assured performance.

Mary Cholhok scored 52 goals while goalkeeper Alice Harvey was named player of the match.

"It is not easy coming here. It can be quite intimidating. But we executed our plans," Harvey told BBC Sport.

"There was a real good vibe in the camp beforehand. We had a confidence about us."

Lightning had a 51-35 advantage heading into the final quarter and saw off a valiant Thunder fightback as the hosts briefly threatened to get back in the contest.

Thunder are level on 15 points with Lightning but remain top of the table on goal difference.

"I have learned that we need to deal with the physicality of the game," said Thunder head coach Karen Greig.

"There were times in the game we got absolutely battered and didn't adapt. We became hesitant and gave them opportunities by giving them balls at arm length."

In Saturday's other matches, Ine-Mari Venter plundered 61 goals as Saracens Mavericks eased to a 71-50 victory over Strathclyde Sirens.

Cardiff Dragons edged out Severn Stars 48-46 in a hard-fought contest while Surrey Storm clinched their third win of the season with a 60-44 victory over Team Bath.

On Friday, London Pulse withstood a fightback from Leeds Rhinos to triumph 51-49 in Hull. Malawian Joyce Mvula scored 39 goals as the Rhinos rallied late on but Assaindey Olivia Tchine (24) and Berri Neil (19) got Pulse over the line.

Pulse are away to Cardiff Dragons at the Cardiff City House of Sport next Saturday, live on the BBC Sport website and app, and BBC iPlayer.

Round seven - Saturday, 30 March

Cardiff Dragons v London Pulse

Round eight - Friday, 5 April

London Pulse v Strathclyde Sirens

Round nine - Saturday, 13 April

Manchester Thunder v Leeds Rhinos