Forest keep alive NSL play-off hopes with derby win

Nottingham Forest kept live their Netball Super League play-off hopes pinch a 66-62 triumph against defending champions Loughborough Lightning.

Forest, who are competing successful their first Netball Super League (NSL) season, are now 3 points down fourth-placed London Mavericks, who play Birmingham Panthers connected Sunday.

There is only 1 play-off spot near up for grabs pinch 2 regular play rounds to spell arsenic Manchester Thunder, London Pulse and Loughborough person already qualified.

Thunder secured their play-off spot connected Friday pinch a 59-54 triumph complete Cardiff Dragons.

Forest led aft each 4th successful an awesome show astatine Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena, location to some teams. Particularly beardown performances came from subordinate of nan lucifer Natasha Pavelin and Rolene Streutker, who scored 41 goals.

The triumph halted Loughborough's winning steak - they had not mislaid since information four, besides against Forest.

Defeat prevented Loughborough from moving to apical of nan NSL table.

"Really happy, we knew coming into nan crippled we could do a job," Pavelin told Sky Sports. "We each really believed. We put retired 4 quarters location which we tin beryllium really proud of."

Elsewhere, Thunder's Elmere van der Berg top-scored pinch 37 goals astatine Belle Vue Arena successful her team's triumph complete Cardiff.

Victory for Thunder moved them up to 2nd successful nan standings connected 28 points, but they way leaders Pulse connected extremity difference.

Goal shooter Georgia Rowe scored 26 for Dragons, who stay bottommost aft losing each but 1 of their 12 matches truthful far.

Round 12 will reason connected Sunday arsenic London Pulse look Leeds Rhinos and Birmingham Panthers return connected London Mavericks.