Netball SL Round 3 Review

Friday, 13th March brought us Game 1 of Round 3 between Dragons and the traveling side, Manchester Thunder. After last week’s one-point loss, this was set to be an intriguing match; however, following their Round 2 win, Thunder looked determined to continue their winning streak.

The opening quarter was tight as both sides read each other's play, searching for weaknesses to exploit. The score heading into the Super Shot period was 11–10 to Manchester. Due to some confusion with the hooter indicating the start of the Super Shot window, both teams took a couple of minutes to settle before attempting them. Q1 ended 15–13 to Thunder, showing that their one-point game was flowing nicely.

The 2nd quarter started with a Thunder turnover, putting Dragons on the back foot. As the minutes ticked by, it became clear that Dragons needed to adjust to prevent Thunder from finding their top gear. Until the Super Shot period, the gap hovered around 4 or 5 points, but as the final five minutes of the half began, the Manchester side found their "groove." By halftime, Thunder had extended the lead to 9.

Heading into the second half, Dragons applied pressure, reducing the gap to 8 and forcing the Thunder coach into a timeout with seven minutes left before the Super Shot period. By the end of Q3, Thunder regained their rhythm, taking the score to 49–39. Dragons kept the gap at 10 until the final Super Shot period, but Manchester maintained the pressure with successful two-pointers. The game ended with a second win of the season for Thunder, leaving Dragons still searching for their first. For her stunning work in the center court and "ninja-like" movement, Lois Pearson earned Player of the Match.

Saturday featured a doubleheader: Birmingham Panthers vs. London Mavericks and Loughborough Lightning vs. London Pulse.

In game one, Mavericks hoped for their first win of the season against Panthers. From the start, it was clear Mavericks wanted to make a statement. While the first quarter was relatively even, Mavericks soon showed they meant business. Panthers, meanwhile, struggled—perhaps suggesting that a brand-new squad for the team's second season remains a challenge. Throughout the Super Shot periods, the London side demonstrated strong connections and clinical long-range shooting. By halftime, Mavericks led by 12.

As the game continued, Panthers struggled with both the two-pointers and the physicality of the match. Mavericks stood their ground, eventually extending the lead to 27. Following the first blowout of the season, Tamsin Greenway will be pleased to secure that first win. For her athletic ability and defensive pressure, Jamie Golob earned Player of the Match.

The second game of the afternoon was a rematch of last year’s final between Lightning and Pulse. It promised excitement, especially since their last meeting in the Super Cup final saw Lightning emerge victorious.

The first half was evenly matched, but Lightning’s Super Shot accuracy proved superior. Ella Clark and Sammy Wallace-Joseph showed a strong connection in the attacking end, while defensive pressure from Alice Harvey, Shadine Van Der Merwe, and Nat Panagarry forced Pulse into uncharacteristic errors and positional switches. Leading 40–32 at halftime, Loughborough held an 8-point cushion. While reducing such a gap in a one-point game is difficult, the Super Shot period gave Pulse a lifeline.

In the second half, London Pulse managed to bring the score within a single point. However, after a clever interception by Lightning, Pulse struggled to regain momentum heading into the final Super Shot period. Although Pulse won the second half scoring 29 points, it wasn't enough. Loughborough secured a 68–61 victory, marking their third win of the season and handing Pulse their first loss. Alice Harvey was named Player of the Match for her phenomenal defensive performance.

In the final game of the weekend, Nottingham Forest faced Leeds Rhinos. The home side, Forest, looked for their third win before traveling to London to face Pulse next weekend.

The first quarter was a tactical battle with both sides figuring each other out. Entering the first Super Shot period, Forest led by only 1, but they extended that lead to 4 by the end of the break. In the 2nd quarter, Rhinos found their rhythm and reduced the deficit to 2. Just before the first half ended, Jaz Brown went down with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Rhinos and England fans alike will be hoping for a minor injury and a quick return.

Forest capitalized on the disruption to the Rhinos' lineup in the second half, stretching the lead to 16 by the third Super Shot period. A change in the Leeds attack helped reduce the gap to 10 heading into the final quarter. Despite Rhinos landing a few long shots in the final minutes, the gap remained at 10. The game ended 61–51 to Forest, with Rolene Streutker earning Player of the Match for her relaxed and phenomenal scoring ability.