The Netball Super League (NSL) Round 8 took place this weekend live on NetballPass*, BBC and Sky Sports, and it was a week of ‘firsts’ with London Pulse being dealt their first defeat, and not one, but two of the matches going to extra time for the first time this season.
Here is this week’s international player spotlight:
Loughborough Lightning vs Manchester Thunder
Defending Champions Loughborough Lightning struck down Manchester Thunder in Round 8 of the NSL, allowing them to move within two points of the top spot.
Lightning put on a masterclass throughout the court, with Trinidad & Tobago’s Samantha Wallace-Joseph excelling at one end, and South Africa SPAR Protea, Shadine van der Merwe, proving a real nuisance at the other in defence against her old club.
Van der Merwe worked tirelessly making five gains, three deflections and four interceptions, as she constantly delayed and prevented her former side from building any momentum and reaching goal, as Lightning won 65-53.
You can re-watch this match on NetballPass, here.*
London Mavericks vs Cardiff Dragons
We had our first game with extra time!
As Cardiff Dragons continued to battle for their first victory of the season, everything was put on the line during their 60 minutes of netball played against London Mavericks, and nothing could separate the two teams as the score sat at 55-55 when the final whistle blew.
Mavericks and England Rose Emma Thacker put out Dragons fire in extra time, as she converted three successive Super Shots to give Mavericks the upper hand, and helped them eventually claim the three points.
Catch up on this nail-biter on NetballPass, here.*
Nottingham Forest vs London Pulse
Keeping with the theme of firsts, London Pulse were dealt their first defeat of the season in Round 8 with new kids on the block Nottingham Forest continuing to make their mark on the league.
It was Forest’s second half surge of energy and consistency that Pulse could not handle, with South Africa SPAR Protea, Rolene Streuker clinical under post, and Welsh Feather Iona Christian precise as ever with her perfect passing and feeds into circle.
Christian was eventually named Player of the Match for her 35 feeds, four pick-ups and one gain.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass, here.*
Birmingham Panthers vs Leeds Rhinos
You wait for one, and two come at once – We had a second game go to extra time to finish off the weekend!
Birmingham Panthers were able to secure their second win of the season after a thrilling extra time battle saw them beat Leeds Rhinos 71-69.
Nothing could separate the two teams throughout the first 60 minutes and extra time was no different, with it still going down to the final whistle.
The winning Super Shot came from Australian Gabby Sinclair, who remained calm under pressure and helped her side move within two points of 5th placed Nottingham Forest.
You can catch up on this game on NetballPass, here.*
Head to NetballPass now to catch up on all the action, ahead of Round 9 which starts on Friday 9th May.
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.
Photo credit: Ben Lumley