Photo Credit: Ben Lumley
The Soft & Gentle Major and Minor Semi-Finals took place in the Netball Super League (NSL) this weekend, with the winner of the Major Semi-Final fast tracked to the Grand Final, whilst the looser of the Major Semi-Final and the winner of the Minor Semi-Final must go head to head in the Preliminary Final to book the last Grand Final spot.
Keep reading to find out the Semi-Final results and to see which international players made the difference:
Loughborough Lightning vs Nottingham Forest
First up, in the Minor Semi-Final it was 3rd placed Loughborough Lightning vs 4th placed Nottingham Forest.
For one of these teams their NSL 2026 journey would come to an end in this match, whilst the other would get one more shot at making the Grand Final with a chance to play in the Preliminary Final up for grabs.
Fuelled by the pressure of the occasion the first half was a close encounter.
Although Lightning led at half-time, Forest remained within touching distance, leaving everything to play for in the second half.
It was at the start of the 3rd quarter that Lightning struck, outscoring their Semi-Final opposition by 11 goals to extend their lead to 18.
From then on Lightning remained in control, with the return of England Rose Alice Harvey proving pivotal as she made five gains and three pickups.
Lightning will now play the losers of the Major Semi-Final in the Preliminary Final on 13th June, live and on demand on NetballPass* for the international Netball Family.
Keep reading to find out which team Lightning will face!
You can also catch up on the Minor Semi-Final on NetballPass*, here.
Manchester Thunder vs London Pulse
Top of the table AO Manchester Thunder became the first team to book their spot in the Soft & Gentle Grand Final, when they beat London Pulse 60 – 56.
Thunder wasted no time in racing ahead when they took to court at the National Cycling Centre in front of their home fans, leading by seven at one point during the first quarter.
However, what was to follow was a very close match-up in which Pulse fought back setting up a tense final 15 minutes.
It was England Rose Eleanor Cardwell that secured the win for Thunder as she scored the final Amex Super Shot of the game, taking her tally up to nine for the game and seeing her awarded the Experience Kissimmee Player of the Match award.
You can re-watch this match on NetballPass*, here.
Pulse will still have one more opportunity to make the Grand Final as they will play Lightning in the Preliminary Final next weekend.
Whilst Thunder will nervously await the outcome of that game to see who they will face in the Grand Final on Saturday 20th June.
You can purchase final series passes now on NetballPass which will enable you to catch up on both Semi-Finals and watch the Preliminary Final and Grand Final, live and on demand, for just £4.95 GBP.
Purchase your Finals Series Pass, 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.