Sophie Fawns scored in the final seconds of the Netball Super League regular season to ensure Ao Manchester Thunder finished top after beating second-placed Loughborough Lightning 68-67.
The score was level in the final minute of the game before Fawns scored from a rebound on the stroke of full-time, prompting an eruption of noise from the home crowd at the Manchester Velodrome.
Lightning overcame the loss of centre Jess Shaw to injury in the first quarter to hold a four-point lead heading into the final fifteen minutes of their season.
But Thunder’s late fightback and thrilling last-gasp winner means the four-time champions claim the crucial home advantage in their play-off major semi-final, also against Loughborough, on Saturday 6 June.
“It’s insane,” said match-winner Fawns. “I’m so happy.
“That game was so tough, it honestly felt like the final.
“That’s what Loughborough will bring in the finals series, anyway. So it was nice to have a go at that, and see how tough it is.”
The winner of next weekend’s major semi-final will progress to the final, with the champion to be decided in Manchester at the Co-op Live arena on June 20.
