Netball Super League Unwrapped: Top Four set in Round 13
Forest's defeat meant they were unable to catch London Mavericks, whose place in the semi-finals was confirmed despite defeat to Loughborough Lightning.
Lightning's victory, as well as London Pulse's win over Manchester Thunder, ensured that those two will play in the major semi-final.
In a match-up where only pride was at stake, it was LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons who came out on top against NIC Leeds Rhinos.
Panthers do the double
Thursday night netball with everything on the line delivered a 75-69 comeback win for Birmingham Panthers over Nottingham Forest.
A strong Forest defence, led by Jayda Pechova, stifled Panthers to take an eight-goal lead into the break.
But a virtuoso performance from Gabby Marshall in the goal attack bib for Panthers saw her side to a second win over Forest in both clubs' debut season.
The victory also meant Forest were unable to catch Mavericks to end their hopes of a top four finish.
Lightning show up on Pride Night
In one of two potential Play-Off match-ups in Round 13, Loughborough Lightning downed London Mavericks 79-58 at the Sir David Wallace Arena.
The hosts were immediately on the front foot with Shadine van der Merwe proving a nightmare for the Mavericks attackers.
The gap only grew for Lightning, who are still in the hunt for the top spot, as they sit two points behind London Pulse.
Meanwhile, despite defeat, Mavericks were able to celebrate their return to the Play-Offs for the first time since 2016.
Pulse survive a battle
London Pulse kept their cool in a 58-48 win over Manchester Thunder to book their place in the major semi-final.
The visitors seized the early advantage, but Thunder were fired up in the second quarter to reduce an 11-goal deficit to just one with 10 points in a row.
The break came almost at the wrong time for the home side, but they continued their charge to level proceedings at 27-27 with less than two minutes of the second half gone.
That prompted a regroup from Pulse, who stuck together to move themselves back into the lead and secured an 11th win of the season and return to top spot.
Dragons swoop in and take victory
LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons proved they weren't going to be messed with, winning 60-52 against NIC Leeds Rhinos.
Despite an strong start in the opening minutes for home team Rhinos, the first quarter ended 10-15 in Dragons' favour.
A standout performance came from Khanyisa Chawane as she proved herself to be a speed demon on the court with turnovers aplenty.
The Round 13 victory marked Dragons' second win of the season and disappointment for Geva Mentor, losing her last home game of the season before she hangs up her dress.
The NSL Grand Final will be held at The O2 on 6 July for the first time ever. Get your tickets to experience live elite netball!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Boston Red Sox spark controversy after putting on pre-game drag show for Pride Day
Fenway Park's annual Pride Night has been heavily criticized online in the days since a group of drag queens were welcomed on the field in Boston before the Red Sox hosted the Tampa Bay Rays. 'Gross' and 'disgusting' were just two of the judgements posted on X, where many others joined in the attack. 'Be more like the @ Rangers,' another added, referring to the only Major League Baseball team without a Pride Month celebration. Several commenters questioned the logic behind MLB events aimed at including LBGTQ+ fans, arguing they're not really baseball's target audience. However, a 2021 survey by the Sociology of Sport Journal found that 30 percent of gay men and 40 percent of lesbians were passionate sports fans, while many others followed sports casually. Boston's Pride Day differed from other MLB clubs in that the Red Sox invited fans to arrive early for a drag show on the concourse at Fenway Park. drag queen performs for a crowd of Boston Red Sox on the Fenway Park concourse The public address announcer at MLB's oldest stadium added a message from the team: 'We know that visibility and inclusivity in sports not only affirm the right of everyone to participate and along, but also enrich the spirit of competition and camaraderie. 'When teams, front offices and fans come together to create welcoming environments, everyone can thrive, and we prove that we are all better when we stand together.' Massachusetts does have a relatively large LGBTQ community as a share of its population. A 2018 study by Boston Indicators and The Fenway Institute (no relation to the ballpark) found that five percent of Massachusetts citizens identified as LGBTQ, more than all but one state. That same study found that nearly half of Massachusetts' gay youth had attempted suicide at some point, which is the kind of troubling statistic that's led the Red Sox, MLB and other sports properties to offer Pride Day celebrations. Regardless, Pride Day still ignited a torrent of criticism directed at the Red Sox, who lost to the Rays, 10-8, as top prospect Roman Anthony made his debut. 'Disgusting and degenerate,' wrote one self-described former fan. 'There is a reason I refuse to watch ya'll anymore. I've been a fan for 30+ years. Focus on the game instead of degeneracy and politics, idiots.' Per Getty Images, the Red Sox have been welcoming drag queens to Fenway for Pride Day for at least the last four seasons, but that didn't stop one fan from declaring that the 2025 ceremony was her breaking point. 'Unfollowing you and no longer watching your games,' the woman wrote. 'You just lost a 20+ year fan.' Joining in the on-field ceremony were representatives from the the Boston Legacy Football Club of the NWSL, the Boston Fleet of the PWHL, Boston Common Golf, the NHL's Boston Bruins, and NBA's Boston Celtics. Fans attending Monday's game were given a Red Sox Pride hat with rainbow coloring — an item some fans found appealing. 'Love it!' wrote the X users. 'Hey at RedSox, where can I get one of those hats? They are stunning!'
Leader Live
4 hours ago
- Leader Live
Palace co-owner John Textor would sell shares for Europa League chance
The American, whose Eagle Football Group owns 43 per cent of Palace, has imperilled the club's chance of a first-ever European campaign owing to his involvement with Ligue 1 side Lyon, but is ready to offload his stake to his fellow co-owners in order to bring the saga to an end. UEFA does not allow clubs with the same ownership to compete in the same European competitions in a season. As well as his stake in Palace, the 59-year-old has a controlling stake in the French club, also via Eagle Football. However it is also reported that the European governing body does not consider Textor's influence at Selhurst Park to be decisive and is leaning towards allowing the club into the Europa League regardless. The PA news agency understands no formal decision is likely on Palace's fate until the end of June. Textor has previously spoken of his frustration at how little influence his stake entitles him to, over football matters. Victory for Oliver Glasner's side over Manchester City in last month's FA Cup final gave them their first major trophy and with it a first crack at Europe. However, Nottingham Forest have since written to UEFA to challenge Palace's Europa League spot and in the hope of taking their place. Forest's owner Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Greek side Olympiacos, placed his shares in the club in a blind trust before the governing body's March 1 deadline, anticipating Nuno Espirito Santo's side's European qualification. At present Forest, who finished seventh in last season's Premier League, are set to enter the Conference League but would take Palace's Europa League place, should they be deemed ineligible.
South Wales Guardian
5 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Palace co-owner John Textor would sell shares for Europa League chance
The American, whose Eagle Football Group owns 43 per cent of Palace, has imperilled the club's chance of a first-ever European campaign owing to his involvement with Ligue 1 side Lyon, but is ready to offload his stake to his fellow co-owners in order to bring the saga to an end. UEFA does not allow clubs with the same ownership to compete in the same European competitions in a season. As well as his stake in Palace, the 59-year-old has a controlling stake in the French club, also via Eagle Football. However it is also reported that the European governing body does not consider Textor's influence at Selhurst Park to be decisive and is leaning towards allowing the club into the Europa League regardless. The PA news agency understands no formal decision is likely on Palace's fate until the end of June. Textor has previously spoken of his frustration at how little influence his stake entitles him to, over football matters. Victory for Oliver Glasner's side over Manchester City in last month's FA Cup final gave them their first major trophy and with it a first crack at Europe. However, Nottingham Forest have since written to UEFA to challenge Palace's Europa League spot and in the hope of taking their place. Forest's owner Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Greek side Olympiacos, placed his shares in the club in a blind trust before the governing body's March 1 deadline, anticipating Nuno Espirito Santo's side's European qualification. At present Forest, who finished seventh in last season's Premier League, are set to enter the Conference League but would take Palace's Europa League place, should they be deemed ineligible.
