ura Malcolm.A 4-1 run for the hosts at the start of the final period cut the gap to four points but once again, the Thunder were able to show their class and a five-goal run midway through the final period finally saw off the home sides threat, as Ryans team moved into a 53-44 lead.As befitting the Lo

Manchester Thunder maintained their perfect start to the Vitality Netball Superleague season with a hard-fought 56-47 victory over Loughborough Lightning.Thunder entered the game fresh from a 25-goal thrashing of Team Bath on Friday which gave them a third successive victory, but it was the home side who took the early advantage on Monday with the opening goal of the night at Loughborough Universitys Sir David Wallace Sports Hall. Loughborough v Manchester - Scoring Breakdown 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Final Score Loughborough Lightning 10 9 16 12 47 Manchester Thunder 12 14 16 14 56 However, despite impressive defence from Karen Atkinsons side, they were unable to keep a relentless Thunder at bay. The visitors were led by the constant menace of wing attack Liana Leota, who ensured they stayed on the front foot throughout.With Helen Housby and Natalie Haythornthwaite in ruthless early form, it was the Superleague leaders who hit the front early.Dan Ryans team found themselves four goals to the good, leading 10-6 with under five minutes remaining of the opening quarter before Vanessa Walker ensured the gap was down to just two at the end of the first 15 minutes.Player of the Match Jo Trip and Sky Sportswoman of the Month Ama Agbeze led the hosts defence in keeping chances at a premium throughout the early part of the second quarter, and both teams were having to work hard to get the ball through the court.Three quickfire goals from Lightnings Ugandan goalshooter Peace Proscovia levelled the scores at 14-14 and after the teams traded goals, the visitors experience took hold of the game for what proved to be a crucial advantage they never relinquished. Netball London Live Get your tickets for Londons Copper Box Arena England star Housby helped Thunder move through the gears, their transition play moving them into a seven-goal lead which they held onto for a 26-19 half-time advantage.Thunders attack has made most of the headlines this season, but the all-court performances of England captain Sara Bayman and New Zealands Leota were pivotal factors in seeing off a determined Loughborough defence to extend their advantage to nine goals.Lightnings spirits refused to be dampened and more precision shooting from Proscovia cut the deficit to just four midway through the third quarter, but Haythornthwaite and Housby re-established a seven-goal lead heading into the final quarter as the Thunder attack built on some outstanding defence from half-time substitute Laura Malcolm.A 4-1 run for the hosts at the start of the final period cut the gap to four points but once again, the Thunder were able to show their class and a five-goal run midway through the final period finally saw off the home sides threat, as Ryans team moved into a 53-44 lead.As befitting the Loughborough performance, they refused to give up, with the teams trading points through the final moments before a bruising battle came to its conclusion with the Thunder making it four wins from four and Lightning slipping to a second defeat of the campaign. Vitality Player of the Match - Jo Trip (Loughborough Lightning)Also See:Vitality Superleague fixturesTableLive on SkySportswomenBrandon Carlo Jersey . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. Brandon Carlo Bruins Jersey .J. Ellis hit two-run homers and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 Saturday night. http://www.thebostonbruinshockey.com/bobby-orr-hockey-jersey/ . Instead of dwelling on the negative, Oates focused on what was good about the clubs recent play. It worked. Johnny Bucyk Jersey .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Charlie McAvoy Jersey . Schenn scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday.CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love set an NBA record for points in a first quarter by scoring 34 on Wednesday against Portland.Love fell three points shy of the league record for points in any quarter, set by Golden States Klay Thompson, who scored 37 in the third on Jan. 23, 2015.Love, who set a team record for points in a period, made 11 of 14 field goal attempts, including 8 of 10 on 3-pointers. He made his fiirst six shots, including five 3-pointers.ddddddddddddHe missed his only shot of the second quarter, playing about the final 6 minutes of the period. The Cavaliers led 81-60 at halftime.Love scored a career-high 51 points while playing for Minnesota on March 23, 2012. His season high in points was 27. ' ' '