Thunder goal defence Nicola Smith, who has made seven interceptions in her last nine games, believes her side can win the competition.
“Yes, definitely,” said the two-time champion with Loughborough Lightning. “After today’s performance, what can I say?”
Thunder fulfilled their home fixture in a double-header at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool where LexisNexis Dragons were also hosts, 200 miles from their home venue in Cardiff.
The Dragons kept their play-off hopes alive with a 68-62 win over a NIC Leeds Rhinos side who haven’t won since the opening round.
Rhinos started slowly, but led 18-16 after the first quarter, before the lead changed hands and Dragons took a narrow 36-35 advantage into the half-time break.
The sides tied the third quarter 17-17 before Dragons pulled away in the last, with Georgia Rowe scoring 45 goals in the match.
“I don’t think we ever felt comfortable,” said Dragons goal keeper Leah Middleton. “But we talk about having a winning mentality and I think the group has really grown in that this season.”