AS the Netball Super League reached its halfway point of the season over the weekend, teams finally evened out the number of games they played so the ladder is now starting to paint a more accurate picture.

One of the winners over the weekend was the Manchester Thunder, who downed the Strathclyde Sirens by 13 goals.

A seven goal lead to the Thunder at quarter time set up the win, and after the Thunder only won each of the final two quarters by a goal each, the Sirens’ only scoring 10 goals in the second quarter really came back to bite them.

After the teams initially traded blows, it was the Thunder who got out to an early lead after they capitalised on turnovers unlike the Sirens.

The lead got ahead to as much as five goals, but then the Sirens worked their way back into the game.

However the Thunder then pushed ahead again, and took the margin out to seven at the first change.

Although things were even again at the start of the second term, the Thunder progressively put their foot down and started to grow their lead. It did not help the Sirens that they struggled to capitalise on the turnovers they were finally getting.

By the time the teams went in for the main break, the lead sat at 11 goals, but had got out to as much as 13.

Things tightened up significantly in the second half. It was tight, it was tense and there were plenty of tip and turnovers from both sides.

Crucially for the Thunder though, they still won each of the third and fourth quarters, and the Sirens were unable to get back into the match.

For the Thunder Natalie Metcalf (41 feeds) had a stellar game, as did Josie Huckle (five deflections, one intercept, one rebound).

Meanwhile for the Sirens Towera Vinkhumbo (two deflections, two intercepts, two rebounds) had a solid game, as did Bethany Dix (41 feeds).

In other results:

• Leeds did not start its weekend as well as it ended it, going down to Team Bath by seven goals.

It was tight at every break, but Bath’s early work was enough to see them hold on to take the win.

For Team Bath Bethan Dyke (33 feeds, one intercept) had a busy evening, as did Jayda Pechova (five deflections, three intercepts).

Meanwhile for the Rhinos Ellie Bird (43 goals from 44 attempts) had a great game, as did Vicki Oyesola (three deflections, three intercepts).

• Leeds ended its weekend with finally earning its first win, downing the Celtic Dragons by nine goals.

The Rhinos had a small lead at the first change, but after the sides tied both the second and third quarters, it was not until the final term where they finally pulled away.

Oyesola had another stellar game (seven intercepts, three deflections, one rebound), while Elle McDonald also had a great game.

Meanwhile both Shaquanda Greene-Noel (nine deflections, two intercepts, two rebounds) and Hannah Leighton (five deflections, four feeds, one intercept) both had good games for the Dragons.

• Loughborough Lightning had a big win, downing the Severn Stars by 20 goals.

Although the Stars won the last quarter, their inability to score earlier in the game meant that it was too little too late.

Mary Cholhok had another superb game for the Lightning, as did Alice Harvey, while Jessica Shaw and Jo Trip were both among the best for the Stars.

• London Pulse had an even bigger win, defeating the Saracens Mavericks by 22 goals.

A 14 goal to six opening term set the scene for the Pulse, while a 24 goal to 13 second quarter further cemented the path the match was taking.

Halimat Adio, Funmi Fadoju and Chelsea Pitman all starred for the Pulse, while Sasha Corbin and Aliyah Zaranyika played well for the Mavericks.