Mavericks fightback pips Panthers to boost play-off bid

The London Mavericks defeated the Birmingham Panthers 69-67 to keep their push for the Netball Super League play-off spot.

With only six points to play for in the final two games of the regular season, the Mavericks are now fourth in the standings and six points clear of fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

However, Forest and Loughborough Lightning, the defending champions, have a difficult matchup with them, who both have qualified for the play-offs while Forest has a better goal difference.

“But we are overjoyed that we are still here, and we will look back over the next two games to just strengthen ourselves,” he said.

The Mavericks, who had a lead of 36-31 at half-time, were nine points behind in the first quarter, but despite turning the game around, they were unable to defeat the Panthers, who had the NSL’s most bonus points, given for narrow defeats.

The Panthers turned the game on its head at the end of the fourth quarter with a five-point lead at the Skydome in Coventry.

However, Emily Andrew’s run of unanswered two-point scores from the Mavericks sealed the victory with the winning super shot in the closing seconds.

Nottingham Forest, who are currently in their first NSL season, won 66-62 on Saturday to defeat Loughborough Lightning, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

At Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, which hosts both teams, they maintained their dominance throughout the entire quarter. Natasha Pavelin and Rolene Streutker, who both scored 41 goals, both had impressive performances.

Loughborough’s winning streak was ended by the victory, which was the longest Loughborough had ever experienced since Forest beat them in round four.

We were very excited because we knew we could do a job, Pavelin told Sky Sports. “We all genuinely believed,” We released four quarters, which is really impressive.

Third-placed Thunder won the play-off game 59-54 over the Cardiff Dragons at Belle Vue Arena on Friday, being inspired by Elmere van der Berg’s 37 goals.