Photo Credit: Ben Lumley
Even though the top four have been confirmed, there is still lots to play for in the Netball Super League (NSL).
Round 13 saw changes at the bottom of the table, and changes at the top too with the Soft & Gentle Major and Minor Semi-Final fixtures still to be determined based on the top four’s final positions next weekend.
Here is this week’s International Player Watch:
London Pulse vs LexisNexis Dragons
London Pulse kept their hopes of making the Major Semi-Final alive after an extra-time 67-66 victory over LexisNexis Dragons.
Pulse led by five goals at the main break; however, Dragons came out roaring in the second half with Welsh Feather Leah Middleton a force in defence.
Scottish Thistle Niamh McCall then scored an all-important Amex Super Shot buzzer beater for Dragons sending the game into extra-time.
Pulse were able to re-gain their lead in extra-time thanks to some smart netball from England Rose Olivia Tchine.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
London Mavericks vs Birmingham Panthers
The one goal victories didn’t finish there, as Birmingham Panthers were able to secure just their second win of the season beating London Mavericks 52 – 51.
Nothing could separate these two sides at half-time as the score sat at 26 – 26, and it wasn’t until the final quarter that Panthers really pounced as they overcame a four-goal deficit to win the game.
Welsh Feather Betsy Creak had her eye in scoring 31 goals and winning five rebounds, all which proved crucial for Panthers.
The win means that Panthers have climbed off the bottom of the table.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Nottingham Forest vs AO Manchester Thunder
AO Manchester Thunder made it 7/7 as the beat fellow finalists Nottingham Forest 78-51 to remain at the top of the table.
Thunder just seemed to get stronger and stronger in this match, as they restricted Forest’s second half points to just 20.
Whilst in their own shooting circle goals were plenty, as England Rose Lois Pearson scored 17 goals and 7 Amex Super Shots – a performance which later saw her awarded Experience Kissimmee Player of the Match.
For Forest, this result confirms that their debut in the Soft & Gentle Play-Offs will start away from home in the Soft & Gentle Minor Semi-Final.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Loughborough Lightning vs NIC Leeds Rhinos
Loughborough Lightning also kept their momentum going heading into the Soft & Gentle Play-Offs as they beat NIC Leeds Rhinos 79 – 55.
England Rose Hannah Joseph was on fire for Lightning as she put in 31 feeds acting as a real play maker in centre court, whist Trinidad & Tobago’s Samantha Wallace Joseph also had a strong game as she scored 15 Amex Super Shots, taking her Super Shot tally up to 113 for the season.
The defeat for Rhinos means they now sit bottom of the NSL table, however, for Lightning the win sees them enter the final round on the same points as league leaders Thunder, with the two teams set to go head-to-head next weekend.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Head to NetballPass now to catch up on all the action, ahead of Round 14 which starts on Friday 29th May.
To view all the fixtures, results, where to watch information and more visit our Netball Super League page, here.
*Restrictions are in place – *Viewers in the England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, France and Poland will not be able to watch via NetballPass. Those in the UK will be able to watch all games across Sky Sports and BBC Sport, with more information here.