LONDON Pulse survived a late comeback from the Severn Stars to post a six-goal win in the Netball Super League (NSL) over the weekend. In one of the closer results from the round, the Pulse dominated much of the game, before a Stars comeback just fell short, in a 56-50 result.

Initially it was tight and teams traded blows, but it was not too long before the Pulse gained the upper hand and the scoreboard benefitted. The Pulse edge of circle defence was particularly strong early, making it really tough for the Stars to seamlessly feed the ball into the circle.

The Stars did work their way back into the game slightly, but only got as close to being one goal down before the Pulse re-established dominance and pushed the margin back out. A couple of little errors cost the Stars in the end, so at the end of the first term it was a six goal lead to their visitors.

The Pulse continued their momentum early in the second, but then the Stars kicked into gear and got the deficit down to a mere two goals. This pattern continued a few times during the quarter, where the Pulse would streak ahead before the Stars would counter and reduce the deficit but not quite eliminate it.

The Stars ultimately won the quarter, but they were still four goals down at the main break. In saying that, the match felt a lot closer than the scoreboard may have suggested. There was a sense of the status quo being maintained early in the third term as the teams traded blows.

However as the quarter progressed the Pulse retook control of the match, and their lead benefitted as a result. It was just the silly errors costing the Stars as the lead ballooned out to double digits, with the margin sitting at a game high 11 goals at the final change.

The Stars were the ones to get the better start in the final term, and quickly got the margin down to as low as seven goals. The Pulse then regained control and extended their lead back out to double digits.

However the Stars were not done fighting, and scored six of the last nine goals to cut off a sizeable chunk of the margin. Unfortunately for the Stars they left their run too late and could not finish the job, losing by six goals.

Funmi Fadoju (five deflections, one intercept, one rebound) had another solid game for the Pulse, as did Jade Clarke (25 feeds, one deflection, one intercept). Meanwhile for the Stars it was the defenders who were particularly impressive, namely Jess Haynes (eight deflections, one intercept) and Jo Trip (four deflections, three intercepts, one rebound).

In other results:

• In an even closer encounter, Team Bath held on for their third win of the season after a narrow three-goal win over the Celtic Dragons.

The Dragons started well, but a strong second quarter from Bath shifted the tone and momentum of the game, and steered them to the path of victory. Jayda Pechova (eight deflections, one rebound) had another solid game for Bath, as did Ali Wilshier (30 feeds, two deflections). Meanwhile for the Dragons Shaquanda Greene-Noel (three deflections, two intercepts, two rebounds) had another great, while Laura Rudland (39 feeds) played out of her usual position but still had a really solid game.

• In a result that was not as close, the Surrey Storm recorded a solid 12 goal win over the Saracens Mavericks.

The Storm just kept building on their lead throughout the game, but it was not until the third quarter when things started to open up. Mikki Austin (30 feeds, one deflection) led from the front for the Storm, while Amy Flanagan (seven deflections, one intercept) also had a solid game. Meanwhile for the Mavericks Razia Quashie (two deflections, four intercepts) and Sasha Corbin (29 feeds) both had solid games.

• The Loughborough Lightning flexed their muscles against the Strathclyde Sirens, downing the Glaswegians by 16 goals.

Despite the Sirens leading by one at half-time, the Lightning really lifted in the second half, scoring 34 goals to 17 to take the win. Mary Cholhok (46 goals, five rebounds, one deflection) had another great game, as did Fran Williams (five deflections, three rebounds, two intercepts, one feed). Meanwhile for the Sirens Towera Vinkhumbo was productive in defence (three intercepts, two rebounds) as was Bethany Dix (20 feeds) in midcourt.

• In the final game of the weekend, the Storm recorded a solid win over the Leeds Rhinos.

A 20 goals to eight opening term for the Storm really was the cornerstone of the win, and so despite the Rhinos winning the last quarter, the damage had already been done.

Hannah Knights (four rebounds, two intercepts, one deflection) and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis (17 goals, 20 feeds, two deflections) were among those who shone for the Storm, while Vicki Oyesola (four intercepts, a rebound and a deflection) and Elle McDonald (26 feeds, two deflections) both had another great game for the Rhinos.