The Netball Super League (NSL) Semi-Finals took place this weekend, live on NetballPass.
The first of the Semi-Finals saw top of the table and four-time Champions Manchester Thunder, take on first time Semi-Finalists, Severn Stars.
Karen Greig’s Thunder side started the match looking fearless, showing their experience as they set the pace of the contest, with England Rose’s Lois Pearson and Paige Reed leading the way in the attacking circle.
Thunder won the first two quarters 17-15 and 15-10, leaving Stars all the work to do in the second half.
Stars stepped up to the challenge, shooting into the third quarter reducing the deficit from nine to three and winning that quarter, thanks to multiple turnovers from the likes of Jo Trip and Jasmine Brown and sensational shooting from their South African duo of Sigi Burger and Lefebre Rademan.
Burger shot at 100% in the Semi-Final, but it just wasn’t enough as Thunder regained control of the game in the final 15-minutes and took the win 63-54.
In the second Semi-Final, also live on NetballPass, the Netball Family were treated to another close contest between the leagues 2nd and 3rd place teams, Loughborough Lightning and London Pulse.
Although Pulse did the double on Lightning this season, it was still Lightning that finished the league above them, and therefore had the home advantage in this Semi-Final.
In the first 15-minutes very little could separate these two sides, with England Roses impressing throughout the court, from Funmi Fadoju and Halimat Adio for Pulse to Beth Cobden for Lightning; they all did their bit to unsettle the opposition.
It was not until the third quarter that Lightning were able to make their mark, winning this period of 15-minutes 17-10.
Pulse’s highest scoring quarter then came in the final 15-minutes, as they netted 16 goals, but it was not enough to produce a memorable comeback as Lightning took the win 59-47.
This result means the Grand Final will be a repeat of 2022’s with Lightning taking on Thunder, whilst the 3rd Place Play-Off will see Stars take on Pulse.
Both games will be live on NetballPass on Saturday 29th June, and you can purchase a pass to watch both for just £4.95 GBP, here.
To view all the results, the current table, and read our International Player Watch preview, visit our NSL page now.