MANCHESTER Thunder have broken an all-time scoring record with 88 goals – beating the previous record of 86 – during their Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) victory last night. The Thunder defeated Wasps, whilst Team Bath and Loughborough Lightning also picked up wins in Saturday’s action.

After a tight start to their match, Team Bath managed to kick away in the second half to record a 10-goal win over local rivals Severn Stars. In what was a vital victory for Bath, they took a two-goal lead at quarter time, but only lead by the one goal at the main break. After half-time it all changed, as the home team scored 28 goals to 19 to come away with the victory, 50-40.

World class defender Layla Guscoth won Player of the Match honours, picking up a massive six intercepts, three deflections and six turnovers in the win. She teamed up well with Phumza Maweni (two rebounds, four intercepts, seven deflections and five turnovers) in the defensive goal cirlce once again. captain Imogen Allison was lively in midcourt with three intercepts and three turnovers as well as 16 feeds, with the entire defensive unit including Tash Pavelin (six intercepts, three deflections and six turnovers) all stepping up.

Lucy Herdman (three rebounds, two intercepts, three deflections and three turnovers) and Summer Artman (four intercepts, four turnovers) did well on the Bath goalers, whilst Bethan Dyke ran both ways as she recorded 16 feeds, two intercepts, two turnovers and one deflection.

Team Bath next take to the court on Monday, May 2 against top of the table Manchester Thunder, whilst Severn Stars lock horns with London Pulse two days earlier on Saturday, April 30.

Loughborough Lightning continued their strong season with yet another victory, winning all four quarters in a hard-fought contest with Strathclyde Sirens. The Lightning did not have it all their own way, winning each quarter by no more than two goals, but eventually secured the victory by six, with the 52-46 win.

Racking up yet another Player of the Match award, goal keeper Alice Harvey stood tall in crucial moments with eight deflections, five turnovers and one intercept in the victory, teaming up well with Fran Williams (five intercepts, six deflections and seven turnovers). Ella Clark shot 35 goals from 44 attempts, and pulled down three rebounds and one intercept. Hannah Joseph (25 feeds, four deflections and two turnovers) also set up plenty of attacks for the winners.

Emma Barrie was back to her best with 32 goals from 35 attempts for the Sirens, whilst Bethany Dix set up scoring chances with 18 feeds, as well as an intercept and turnover. In defence, Emily Nicholl worked hard to finish with four intercepts, four deflections and eight turnovers despite the ultimate defeat.

Loughborough Lightning have another big game next round, this time up against Saracens Mavericks on Monday, May 2, whilst Strathclyde Sirens lock horns with Surrey Storm on the road on Saturday evening.

A record-breaking performance from the unbeaten Manchester Thunder has seen them record a whopping 88 goals in a 31-goal victory. The Thunder showed no mercy against Wasps Netball during the 88-57 win, leading by seven goals at quarter time and nine at half-time, then getting away to a 14-goal buffer at the final break. The last term really destroyed the margin, with the thunder piling on 24 goals to seven in the final stanza to finish 88-57 ahead.

It was no surprise in beating the all-time VNSL record of 86 team goals the shooters were on fire, with both Eleanor Cardwell (48 goals from 52 attempts) and Joyce Mvula (38 from 42) both in sizzling form. Cardwell also produced the second most feeds with 21, as Roses wing attack Natalie Metcalf recorded an impressive 27, as well as one intercept, one deflection and two turnovers. Goal keeper Kerry Almond (four intercepts, one deflection, one rebounds and six turnovers) was also steadfast.

Wasps still had some important performers, with Iona Christian (21 feeds, two intercepts, three deflections and two turnovers) and Ellie Gibbons (13 feeds) trying hard in midcourt, whilst Lauren Nicholls picking up two intercepts, one deflection, two turnovers and even two feeds out of wing defence.

The Wasps will not have much time to think about the heavy loss, taking on Leeds Rhinos tonight, whilst Manchester thunder host Team Bath next Monday, May 2.