The Netball Super League (NSL) came to an end this weekend as Loughborough Lightning got the better of Manchester Thunder in the Grand Final to win back-to-back NSL titles.
Lightning went into this game somewhat as the underdogs, as they finished second in the regular season behind Manchester Thunder in 1st place.
However, for the fans that packed the Resorts World Arena, Birmingham and those that tuned in globally on NetballPass, that underdog mentality was not visible.
Instead, Lightning came into this all-important clash full of confidence and ready to become the fourth ever NSL team to win back-to-back titles, as they won all four quarters growing comfortably into the game.
Within the first minute of the contest England Rose and Lightning Star, Nat Panagarry had produced an unforgettable interception and their Uganda She Crane Shooter, Mary Cholhok had treated the record breaking NSL crowd to one of her lay-ups, setting the tone for this game.
Thunders Head Coach, Karen Greig, made a few early changes introducing South African SPAR Protea Elmere van der Berg into the shooting circle, and in the second quarter Thunder did look stronger.
However, Lightning just continued to capitalise off Thunders missed placed passes and mistakes and by half-time they lead by six.
It wasn’t until the final 15 minutes of the Grand Final that it all fell into place for Vic Burgess Lightning side though, with Cholhok and Rhea Dixon’s partnership just getting stronger by the minute, as Lightning clocked up their biggest quarter victory 12-21 and won the game 54-70.
You can re-watch the Grand Final on NetballPass now.
The Third Place Play-Off between Severn Stars and London Pulse was a much closer encounter, with the score sitting at 38-38 with 15 minutes to go.
It was Stars that shot into this encounter, winning the first two quarters, as their Northern Ireland Warrior Niamh Cooper produced a fantastic intercept in the first 15 minutes allowing Stars to take a four-goal lead into the first break, which they extended to a 5-goal lead at half-time.
Pulse bounced back in the second half though, bringing the score level by the penultimate break thanks to the new partnership of England Roses Halimat Adio, at goal keeper, and Funmi Fadoju, at goal defence, which seemed to rock the boat.
Fadoju worked tirelessly in defence making 13 deflections and 5 gains as Pulse took the lead in the final quarter, which they went on to win 10-14 before winning the match 48-52.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass now.
To view all the results from this season and read our International Player Watch preview, visit our NSL page now.