NSL Unwrapped - Loughborough Lightning crowned champions

Loughborough Lightning crowned NXT Gen champions

Loughborough Lightning won the Netball Super League’s NXT Gen title after a dramatic final round of fixtures.

Despite being pipped by Birmingham Panthers 45-41 on Saturday, NIC Leeds Rhinos were unable to beat Team Bath on Sunday – going down 56-44 in the west country – meaning the crown would be heading to the Midlands.

Title decided on final weekend

With top spot in the league still up for grabs, Lightning, who beat Rhinos 52-42 in Round 13, ended their last game with their destiny out of their hands.

Their loss to the Panthers opened the door for Rhinos to take the spoils, but Team Bath took their opportunity as king makers and duly crowned Lightning as NXT Gen queens after denying the team from west Yorkshire.

Also, on the final Saturday of the season, London Pulse claimed fourth spot in the league with a 60-41win over LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons, ending their campaign on a high, while London Mavericks beat Manchester Thunder 59-49.

Round 17 results set up grandstand finish

The penultimate round of games ensured the title race would go down to the wire.

Lightning were unable to get past Mavericks, losing a close game 55-48, while Rhinos piled on the pressure two days later when they downed Dragons 63-43.

Elsewhere, Panthers won a thriller against Nottingham Forest Netball by just one point while Pulse recorded an impressive away victory away at Thunder.