Loughborough Lightning continued their hunt for a historic three-peat as they beat Manchester Thunder 69-57 within the Netball Tremendous League Preliminary Remaining to e book their spot within the Grand Remaining.

Defending champions Lightning, who have been crushed by Pulse final week, made a comeback within the Preliminary Remaining as they got here from behind to register their win on Sunday.

Thunder made it to 19-12 after the primary quarter, however Lightning did not let the strain get to them as they made a roaring comeback within the second.

Lightning’s defender Jodie Gibson transformed 5 two-point tremendous pictures throughout the second quarter as she helped her facet combat to a 37-30 lead by half-time.

Thunder then determined they wanted to regroup and known as a tactical timeout once they have been 44-33 down, however they have been unable to as Lightning continued their maintain.

The reigning champions led 52-40 heading into the ultimate quarter as they stayed clear to e book a rematch with London Pulse in subsequent Sunday’s Grand Remaining at London’s O2 Area, stay on Sky Sports activities.

Participant of the Match, Lightning’s Alice Harvey mentioned: “It means a lot. Final week’s loss damage and I feel we felt that in coaching this week.

“That was a efficiency we have been happy with, and we confirmed grit.

“We have been totally different at present, and I’d say by no means underestimate a Lightning bounce again, we’re superb at that. We took particular person accountability, and we actually need to do the three-peat. Our efficiency at present confirmed simply that.”

Manchester head coach Karen Greig mentioned her crew weren’t adequate for lengthy sufficient throughout the match.

“We needed 4 constant quarters and we simply did not have that in us tonight,” she informed Sky Sports activities.

“We had a powerful first quarter however there was a degree within the second quarter once we have been simply passengers on the court docket.”