Sheffield’s Utilita Arena set the stage for a groundbreaking moment in UK netball as all eight Netball Super League teams battled for glory in the first-ever Netball Super Cup. A high-intensity, one-day tournament, the competition promised fast-paced action, tactical masterclasses, and thrilling moments as teams vied for the inaugural title.
Adding to the excitement, history was made with the introduction of the super shot – a game-changing rule allowing players to score from long range for extra points. For the first time, Netball Super League teams had to navigate this new dynamic, with the super shot only available in the final three minutes of each half. With games shortened to just 7-minute halves, every second counted, making momentum swings and tactical decisions more crucial than ever.
With a packed arena, eager fans and elite athletes ready to make their mark, the Netball Super Cup wasn’t just about silverware – it was about innovation, adaptability and proving who could thrive under pressure.
Match 1: London Mavericks vs Birmingham Panthers
- The London Mavericks edged out the Birmingham Panthers in a tightly contested opener, securing a 15-13 victory and claiming an early three points on the leaderboard.
- The match made history as Emily Andrew of the London Mavericks became the first player in Netball Super League history to take (and score) a super shot, marking a significant milestone in the competition.
Match 2: Nottingham Forest vs Manchester Thunder
- The Manchester Thunder made a powerful statement in their opening match, dominating Nottingham Forest with a 22-13 victory.
- They wasted no time taking control of the match, executing crisp passing and clinical finishing to establish an early lead.
- Nottingham Forest struggled to match Thunder’s intensity, finding it difficult to break through their well-organized defense.
- With Thunder’s Elmere van der Berg taking super shots, they closed out the match with a dominant scoreline, securing their first three points of the tournament emphatically.
Match 3: Leeds Rhinos vs Cardiff Dragons
- Cardiff Dragons secure a 16-10 victory, looking strong and in control throughout.
- Rhinos struggled to find rhythm, with unforced errors and missed opportunities.
Match 4: Loughborough Lightning vs London Pulse
- Lightning struggled to find easy feeds in the absence of Cholock but Ella Clark stepped up, particularly during the super shot period.
- Clark’s basketball background shone through, confidently sinking super shots and consistently demanding the ball.
- Adio’s defensive footwork was outstanding, smothering attackers and disrupting Lightning’s flow.
- Half-time: 6-8 in Pulse’s favor, but Lightning fought back in the second half to force the draw: 16-16.
Match 5: Manchester Thunder vs Birmingham Panthers
- Manchester Thunder dominate again, securing a 20-14 win.
- Panthers left Sigi Burger on the bench, but Betsy Creak stepped up with a solid performance.
- Thunder maintained control throughout, looking strong in all areas of the court.
- Elmere van der Berg stole the show in the final super shot period, sinking two stunning long-range shots.
- Another convincing win for Thunder, proving they are serious contenders in this tournament.
Match 6: London Mavericks vs Nottingham Forest
- Nottingham Forest secure their first win as a new franchise, defeating Mavericks 29-15.
- Faridah Kadondi applied relentless defensive pressure, disrupting Mavericks’ attacking flow.
- Super shot time turned into a shootout, with Rolene Streutker, Rhea Dixon, Emily Andrew and Emma Thacker all confidently sinking long-range shots.
- Flawless super shot execution in the second half helped Forest pull away for a dominant victory.
Match 7: London Pulse vs Leeds Rhinos
- Leeds Rhinos claim a 16-13 win, bouncing back after a slow start.
- Rhinos struggled early but settled, with the score tied at 2-2 after 3 minutes of play.
- Liv Tchine (Pulse) vs. Geva Mentor (Rhinos) was an epic battle, both players showcasing their skill and experience.
- Harriet Jones sank Rhinos’ first super shot, followed by Mvula and another from Jones to extend their lead.
- Pulse’s Kelly hit a stunning buzzer-beater super shot just before half-time.
- Half-time: Rhinos 9-5 Pulse.
- Mvula dominated in the second half, holding space and converting under pressure.
- Mentor stepped up defensively, making key turnovers to keep Rhinos ahead.
- Super shots from Nichole Breedt and Liv Tchine kept Pulse in the game, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Match 8: Cardiff Dragons vs Loughborough Lightning
- Loughborough Lightning edge past Cardiff Dragons, winning 18-15 in a tight contest.
- Lightning played with patience, but Dragons’ defense was strong and disciplined.
- First super shot period: Berri Neil and Ella Clark both scored, pushing Lightning into a two-goal lead.
- Philippa Yarranton responded with back-to-back super shots for Dragons.
- Ella Clark struck again, leveling the score at 8-8 at half-time.
- Chawane moved to WD, and Elle MacDonald made her first appearance at C, adding fresh energy for Dragons.
- Clark took control in the second half, sinking three more super shots to guide Lightning to victory.
Match 9: Birmingham Panthers vs Nottingham Forest
- A battle of the new franchises, with Nottingham Forest clinching a comeback win.
- Sigi Burger returned for Panthers, holding her space beautifully and making an impact.
- Rolene Streutker was fearless in the circle, turning and shooting from anywhere – a super shot machine.
- Panthers looked dominant in the first half, controlling possession and tempo.
- Forest came back strong in the second half, showing resilience and sharp execution.
- A final goal from Streutker sealed the win for Forest, securing another important victory.
Match 10: Manchester Thunder vs London Mavericks
- Thunder’s defense held up well, but watching Josie Huckle without Shadine van der Merwe at GD is an adjustment that will take time to get used to.
- Mavericks put in a strong performance, keeping the game tight.
- Thunder led 8-7 at half-time, holding a narrow advantage.
- In the first half, Elmere van der Berg moved to GS, while Anja Williams shifted to GA after playing GS in previous matches.
- In the second half, they switched back, with van der Berg at GA and Williams at GS, which looked more natural.
- Thunder found their rhythm and pulled away, securing a 17-12 victory.
Match 11: Leeds Rhinos vs Loughborough Lightning
- Lightning made a positional switch at the start of the match, with Berri Neil moving to GS and Ella Clark shifting to GA.
- A low-scoring first half, with super shots not landing for either team.
- Scores tied at 6-6 at half-time, reflecting how evenly matched the contest was.
- A tightly contested battle, with both teams fighting hard for every possession.
- Rhinos edged ahead in the final moments, securing a 12-11 win over the defending champions.
Match 12: London Pulse vs Cardiff Dragons
- Liv Tchine held strong in the circle, showing great accuracy on the shot.
- Pulse’s smothering defense limited Dragons’ opportunities, forcing them to rely heavily on Philippa Yarranton to keep the circle moving while Georgia Rowe remained static.
- Pulse led at half-time, controlling the tempo of the game.
- In the second half, Pulse pulled away, dominating both ends of the court.
- A commanding performance saw Pulse take a 15-7 victory.
Semi-Finals
Semi-Final 1: Manchester Thunder vs London Pulse
Manchester Thunder (1st in Group 1) vs London Pulse (2nd in Group 2)
- Thunder had a strong start, controlling the early exchanges.
- By the 4-minute mark, Pulse had yet to score, struggling to break through Thunder’s defense.
- Pulse found their footing during the super shot period, closing the gap to 8-7 at half-time.
- The second half was a tense, goal-for-goal battle, with both teams trading blows.
- In the final three minutes, a super shot shootout unfolded, with both sides taking their chances.
- Pulse edged ahead in the dying moments, securing a one-goal victory to book their place in the final.
Player of the Match: Liv Tchine, standing strong in the circle and delivering under pressure.
Semi-Final 2: Nottingham Forest vs Leeds Rhinos
Nottingham Forest (2nd in Group 1) vs Leeds Rhinos (1st in Group 2)
- Rhinos applied smothering defense on South African shooter Rolene Streutker, especially during the super shot period.
- Joyce Mvula stepped up, sinking two super shots to push Rhinos ahead.
- Streutker finally found space in the super shot zone and converted one to keep Forest in the game.
- Half-time: Rhinos led 9-5.
- Mvula dominated in the circle, moving well and holding strong when needed.
- Super shots weren’t falling consistently for Streutker, and Forest’s reliance on the super shot period to score proved costly.
- Rhinos showed more determination and focus, securing a 15-13 victory to advance to the final.
- Player of the Match: Joyce Mvula, delivering a standout performance for Rhinos.
Rhinos move on to face Pulse in what promises to be an intense Netball Super Cup final!
The Netball Super Cup 2025 Final: London Pulse vs Leeds Rhinos
- A rematch of their earlier clash, where Rhinos won 15-13.
- Rhinos struggled to find rhythm early on, while Pulse dominated the first half.
- Half-time: Pulse led 12-6, controlling the game with strong attacking play.
- Rhinos fought hard in the second half, pushing for a comeback.
- Pulse held their nerve and closed out the game, winning 20-15.
- Player of the Match: Zara Everitt (WD & Captain), leading by example with a strong defensive performance.
- London Pulse are crowned the first-ever Netball Super Cup Champions.
A historic win for Pulse, marking their place in Netball Super Cup history!