Mavericks claim tense one-point win over Panthers

London Mavericks edged past Netball Super League newcomers Birmingham Panthers with a dramatic 69-68 win in Brighton.

There was little to separate the teams throughout, with Mavericks holding on to their one-point lead from 36-35 at half-time.

Goal-shooter Emily Andrew scored 13 goals for Mavericks, including the winning shot to take the lead in the final seconds of the game.

"The girls up front really stepped up, we showed so much fight to come back," Mavericks goalkeeper and player of the match Razia Quashie told BBC Sport.

"Three of our players had operations on injuries this week. Although the scoreline is minimal, we know that we are building and we are getting towards the end product."

It is Mavericks' third win of the Super League which moves them up to third in the table behind London Pulse and Manchester Thunder, but Panthers remain winless alongside the Cardiff Dragons.

On Saturday, the competition's other newcomers Nottingham Forest stunned defending champions Loughborough Lightning 73-71 in front of a crowd of more than 2,500 at Motorpoint Arena.

The hosts led by three points at half-time in Nottingham but trailed by a point going into the final quarter.

However, South Africa international Rolene Streutker's 38 goals led Forest to a tense victory in the NSL's first East Midlands derby, with Lightning's Ella Clark missing a late chance to force extra time.

Later on Saturday, Thunder sealed their third win in a row by dominating the Dragons 72-47 at Utilita Arena in Cardiff.

Elmere van der Berg led the way with 38 goals as the Thunder moved up to second place, three points behind leaders London Pulse, who are the only unbeaten team this season.

On Friday, Pulse maintained their 100% start to the season with a fourth consecutive success in beating Leeds Rhinos 72-53.

Pulse led 37-29 at the half-time and pulled further away in the second half to secure a comfortable win - the fourth straight game they have topped the 70-goal mark.

Pulse's Olivia Tchine scored 35, while Rhinos' Joyce Mvula had 27 at the Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield.

London Mavericks head coach Camilla Buchanan on BBC Sport: "It was unbelievable, I'm so proud of the group.

"The way that they have stuck together and pulled that out of the bag is incredible because there is no way that should have happened on paper.

"I could do without another one-point result, though!"

Birmingham Panthers head coach Connie Francis on BBC Sport: "I am absolutely gutted. I thought that we had done enough work.

"The pressure of the game seemed to get to us. We will go back to the drawing board and come back stronger because we are making so many improvements."

Round five fixtures

Friday, 11 April

Nottingham Forest v London Mavericks (19:30 BST)

Saturday, 12 April

Manchester Thunder v Leeds Rhinos (17:00 BST)

Loughborough Lightning v Cardiff Dragons (18:00 BST) - live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app, and on demand

Sunday, 13 April

Birmingham Panthers v London Pulse (18:00 BST)