Stars made history in the Netball Super League (NSL) in Round 16 as they beat Leeds Rhinos to book the final spot in the Semi-Finals – the team’s first time getting this far.
This comes after a busy week in the NSL, with England Netball announcing the eight teams that will be included in the NSL 2.0, starting in 2025.
The change in teams comes after a robust tender process and is part of England Netball’s exciting journey to professionalise the NSL, but sadly it does see us say goodbye to Severn Stars, Strathclyde Sirens, Surrey Storm and Team Bath from next season.
This meant for both Surrey Storm and Team Bath their final home games took place this weekend, and the netball on display did not disappoint.
Storm came out firing causing confirmed Semi-Finalists Loughborough Lightning all sorts of problems.
Mikki Austin’s side won the first quarter 21-17, and battled with Lightning right until the end eventually losing 68-72, but giving their fans a final home game that they wont ever forget.
Team Bath welcomed Sirens for their final home game, a franchise whose journey in the NSL will also come to an end at the end of 2024 season.
Sirens entered the game still looking for their first victory of the season, and in the first half it was too hard to call which way it could go with Bath winning the first quarter by one goal, and then the second period of 15-minutes ending in a draw.
Sirens came out strong in the final 30 minutes, notably winning the fourth quarter 9-16, and then the game 50-57.
South Africa SPAR Protea, Sammy Ngubane, lead to the way for Sirens scoring 43 goals at goal attack.
On NetballPass, the international Netball Family were able to watch two of the Semi-Finalists go head-to-head in Manchester Thunder and London Pulse.
This game had it all, as the players fiercely contested for every ball throughout the court.
With just 15 minutes to go in this game Pulse lead 33-27, but it was clear the game was far from over.
Fuelled by their home crowd Thunder showed exactly why they are top of the table, as they made a last quarter comeback to beat Pulse 44-40.
England Rose Paige Reed was crucial to Thunders win, as she scored 23 goals.
The final game of Round 16, also on NetballPass, was Saracens Mavericks vs Cardiff Dragons.
This game was not as close, with Dragons taking their biggest win of the season 63-43.
It all started with a fiery Dragons start, where they took at 17-6 lead and from then the visitors never seemed to slow down.
Once again it was a strong shooter that led the way, this time in Wales’ Georgia Rowe, as she scored 57 goals at 98% for her Dragons side.
You can catch up on both these games on NetballPass now.
Next up on NetballPass in Round 17, fans will be able to watch two more Semi-Finalists in Loughborough Lightning and London Pulse go head to head, as well as Saracens Mavericks vs Surrey Storm.
To view all the results, the current table, and read our International Player Watch preview, visit our NSL page now.