Thunder finish top after last-gasp winner against Lightning

Sophie Fawns scored in the final seconds of the Netball Super League regular season to ensure AO Manchester Thunder finished top of the standings with a 68-67 win over Loughborough Lightning.

The score was level in the final minute of the game on Saturday before Fawns scored from a rebound on the stroke of full-time, prompting an eruption of noise from the home crowd at the Manchester Velodrome.

Lightning overcame the loss of centre Jess Shaw to injury in the first quarter to hold a four-point lead heading into the final fifteen minutes of their season, and at that point they were heading to the top of the table.

But Thunder's late fightback and thrilling last-gasp winner means the four-time champions claim the home advantage for their play-off major semi-final against London Pulse on Saturday, 6 June.

"It's insane. I'm so happy," said match-winner Fawns.

"That game was so tough, it honestly felt like the final.

"That's what Loughborough will bring in the finals series, anyway. So it was nice to have a go at that, and see how tough it is."

London Pulse finished as runners-up to Thunder thanks to a 62-51 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Olivia Tchine led the way for Pulse with 48 goals while Anya Williams top-scored for Forest with 31.

Pulse's victory helped them finish on 36 points and move one point above Loughborough, who they leapfrogged into second spot.

Thunder and Pulse will contest the 'major' semi-final where the winner progresses directly to the Grand Final.

Third-placed Lightning play fourth-placed Forest in the 'minor' semi-final.

The winner of the 'minor' semi faces the losing side from the 'major' semi for a place in the Grand Final, which takes place on 20 June in Manchester at the Co-op Live arena.

Pulse captain Zara Everitt, who was player of the match against Forest, praised the resilience of her team-mates to beat Forest and secure second.

"It means so much to be in the major semi-final. It's true to say this has been a more difficult season than last season," Everitt told Sky Sports.

"We've had a few injures and some sticky patches but ultimately have got through to the semis and can't wait to show what we can do."

On Friday, Birmingham Panthers earned a convincing 67-43 win at NIC Leeds Rhinos to avoid finishing bottom of the Netball Super League.

In their final fixture of the season, whoever lost knew they would end the campaign bottom of the eight-team table.

The Panthers moved into a 17-11 lead by the end of the first quarter and stretched their advantage further to go in at half-time 31-18 in front.

At 37-19 ahead, the Panthers looked to be cruising, although the hosts reduced the deficit to only 12.

But the visitors quickly ended any home hopes of a fightback by pulling clear once more, with Betsy Creak ending with 49 goals.

This was only the Panthers' third league win of the season, but they did end with back-to-back victories having defeated London Mavericks 52-51 in week 13.

The Rhinos began their campaign with a 54-39 away success over the Panthers in February, but that was their only league win of the year.

Lexisnexis Dragons signed off their season with a 57-50 win over London Mavericks in a game of fifth against sixth that could not affect the final standings.

After drawing the first quarter 11-11, the sides could not be separated again in the second as Niamh McCall scored a super-shot on the buzzer to send the teams into half-time tied on 25 points apiece.

In the third super-shot period, the Dragons capitalised again as they pulled away in the final five minutes to start the final quarter with an eight-point lead.

Keeping their lead in the final quarter, the Dragons end the season in fifth place with 22 points, their best Netball Super League finish since 2014.