Lightning open Super League title defence with win

Loughborough Lightning opened their Netball Super League (NSL) title defence with a 63-50 win against Surrey Storm.

The champions held a slender two-point lead at half-time but made their dominance count in the second half.

Bella Baylis, who replaced Lightning captain Nat Panagarry in the second quarter, was named player of the match.

"She was awesome, I'm really proud of her performance today," said Lightning coach Vic Burgess.

With all ten teams in action at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on the opening day of the season, it was Severn Stars who got the action under way with a 57-41 win against Leeds Rhinos.

Five-time winners Team Bath narrowly beat Strathclyde Sirens 53-49 while Manchester Thunder, semi-finalists in 2023, beat London Pulse 56-40.

In the final game of the day, Emma Thacker scored 24 goals including a last-minute equaliser as Saracens Mavericks drew 48-48 with Cardiff Dragons.

The BBC's coverage of the Super League starts on 24 February, when champions Loughborough face Team Bath.

Matches will be available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app as well as on demand.

Round two - Saturday 24 February

Loughborough Lightning v Team Bath

Round three - Friday 1 March

Team Bath v Severn Stars

Round four - Saturday 9 March

Surrey Storm v Cardiff Dragons

Round five - Saturday 16 March

Loughborough Lightning v Leeds Rhinos

Round six - Saturday 23 March

Manchester Thunder v Loughborough Lightning

Round seven - Saturday 30 March

Cardiff Dragons v London Pulse

Round eight - Friday 5 April

London Pulse v Strathclyde Sirens

Round nine - Saturday 13 April

Manchester Thunder v Leeds Rhinos