Lightning edge out Pulse to extend unbeaten startImage source, Ben LumleyImage caption, Loughborough Lightning have scored a league-high 213 points this seasonPublished13 March 2026Updated 21 minutes agoLoughborough Lightning beat defending Netball Super League (NSL) champions London Pulse 68-61 to extend their perfect start to the season in Nottingham.Pulse deposed Lightning as champions in 2025 for their second title and both are again regarded as contenders to win the Grand Final this season.Loughborough exacted some revenge when beating Pulse to win last month’s Netball Super Cup 18-17.
But this league victory was another early statement as the three-time Grand Final winners remain top after the opening three rounds, with Pulse three points further back in fourth.
Lightning’s Samantha Wallace-Joseph and Pulse’s Liv Tchine were joint top scorers in the match with 25 goals each.
Earlier, London Mavericks picked up their first win of the season at the third attempt with a 76-49 thrashing of Birmingham Panthers.
They required a buzzer-beater shot to win their previous meeting last season, but 43 goals from goal attack George Inger helped the capital club cruise to victory on Saturday.
