The Netball Super League (NSL) Round 13 took place this weekend live on NetballPass*, BBC and Sky Sports, with London Mavericks completing the Semi-Finals line-up.
Here is this week’s international player spotlight:
Nottingham Forest vs Birmingham Panthers
Forest fell at the last hurdle, ending their chances of making the final four after they lost to Birmingham Panthers 69 – 75.
For Panthers this means they have done the double over Forest this season.
Gabby Sinclair was instrumental for Panthers at goal attack, as she spearheaded their comeback to beat Forest scoring 11 Super Shots and 11 goals, with 92% overall shooting accuracy.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass, here.*
Loughborough Lightning vs London Mavericks
Nottingham Forest’s defeat meant that a Semi-Finals spot was confirmed for London Mavericks before they even took to court in Round 13.
However, Maverick’s celebratory moment was soon dampened by fellow Semi-Finalists Loughborough Lightning.
Lightning proved too hot to handle as they struck down Mavericks 79 – 58.
South Africa SPAR Protea Shadine van der Merwe was a stand out, as she worked hard to silence the Mavs shooting circle.
Van der Merwe made four gains, four interceptions and six deflections before eventually being named Player of the Match.
You can catch up on this game on NetballPass, here.*
Manchester Thunder vs London Pulse
The other two Semi-Finalists, Manchester Thunder and London Pulse, also went head-to-head this weekend, with Pulse coming out on top.
Pulse’s 48 – 58 victory means that they will play in the Major Semi-Final.
It was the visitors that started the strongest, with an early 11 goal lead, however, Thunder showed their class bouncing back and bringing the score to 27-27 at the start of the second half.
Pulse then re-asserted their dominance and showed just why they are top of the table as they pulled themselves back ahead to take the win.
England Rose Funmi Fadoju put on a huge performance for Pulse as she made two interceptions, seven gains and 10 deflections.
Fadoju now sits top of both the interceptions chart (with 31) and the deflections chart (with 119), whilst she is second in the gains chart with 70 to her name.
You can catch up on this game on NetballPass, here.*
Leeds Rhinos vs Celtic Dragons
Celtic Dragons secured their second victory of the season as they beat Leeds Rhinos 52 – 60.
South Africa SPAR Protea Khanyisa Chawane was one to watch in this clash as she showcased some midcourt magic, moving with speed and agility throughout the court, before putting in 30 feeds to her shooters, as well as making two deflections and one gain.
Despite being on the losing side, we have to mention England Rose Geva Mentor after she announced this week that she will be retiring from netball at the end of the season.
Mentor has played in the worlds three top elite domestic leagues, the NSL, Suncorp Super Netball League and ANZ Premiership, and also has 175 caps for the Roses, where she was part of the team that won gold at the Commonwealth Games 2018 just to name one of her international achievements.
At the Netball World Cup 2023, the England Rose also equalled the world record of Rhonda John-Davis by playing in her 6th NWC.
World Netball would like to take this opportunity to thank Mentor for all she has done for the international game, on and off the court.
You can catch up on this game on NetballPass, here.*
Head to NetballPass now to catch up on all the NSL action, ahead of Round 14 which starts on Saturday 14th June.
To view all the fixtures, results, where to watch information and more visit our NSL page, here.
*Restrictions are in place – viewers in the UK, France and Poland will not be able to watch the stream on NetballPass. Those in the UK will be able to watch all games across Sky Sports and BBC Sport, with more information here.