BBC Sport4/26/2026Sports1 min read

Loughborough Lightning Extend Perfect Season with Ninth Consecutive Win

Samantha Wallace-Joseph scores 46 goals in 82-62 victory over LexisNexis Dragons as London Pulse thrash Birmingham Panthers 61-35

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Quick Look

Loughborough Lightning maintained their 100% record with a commanding 82-62 victory over LexisNexis Dragons, moving back to the top of the Netball Super League table.
Samantha Wallace-Joseph top-scored with 46 goals while Georgia Rowe netted 41 for Dragons.
Lightning have won all nine games this season and are certain of a top-four finish.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Loughborough Lightning started the season in strong form and have maintained their 100% record across nine matches. London Pulse have also been in excellent form with six consecutive wins, having only lost to Lightning this season. Birmingham Panthers have struggled, winning only one game all campaign.

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Loughborough Lightning maintained their 100% record with a commanding 82-62 victory over LexisNexis Dragons to move back to the top of the Netball Super League (NSL) table. Lightning, who started the game in second, have recorded nine wins from nine games this season and are now certain of a top-four finish after London Mavericks were beaten by AO Manchester Thunder. Lightning's Samantha Wallace-Joseph was top-scorer with 46 goals, while Dragons' Georgia Rowe netted 41 times. The league leaders continued to show their attacking prowess with the most goals in the league. They have struck 98 times more than second-placed London Pulse. Elsewhere on Saturday, Pulse continued their fine form by thrashing Birmingham Panthers 61-35 to momentarily climb to the top of the NSL standings. Pulse extended their winning streak to six matches and have only lost to Loughborough Lightning this season. In contrast, Panthers, who have never beaten Pulse in the NSL, have only won one game all campaign and sit bottom of the standings. Liv Tchine top-scored with 19 goals as Pulse team-mates Sophie Kelly and Kamogelo Maseko each chipped in with 10. Pulse also still proudly boast the best defence in the league with 454 goals against, compared with the 541 scored against Lightning.