Cobden taking learnings from the losses as Loughborough push for threepeat

The experienced Beth Cobden knows you learn more from the games you lose than those you win.

The Loughborough Lightning wing defence has helped her side to three wins so far in the Netball Super League 2025 to sit inside the top four, with their two defeats coming against league leaders London Pulse and new local rivals Nottingham Forest.

Reflecting on the Pulse loss, Cobden said: “Sometimes you just need a kick up the bum - and we had one. 

“We had our first game against Thunder in which we did really well and the game against Pulse was our second one, it was really disappointing.  

“For a lot of us, we haven’t lost like that in a really long time, it felt strange and disappointing. 

“But sometimes, I think that is a good thing, you go and you work, pull things apart, ask ‘where can we get better’ in all these different ways.

Photo courtesy of Jan Kruger/Getty

“That is what we have done and what we’re still continuing to do. Sometimes the losses are good because then you work harder.”

Lightning are chasing an unprecedented third title in a row and their fourth overall.

Cobden has been there for their previous three wins, having also lifted the trophy twice with Manchester Thunder to put her high up the list of the most successful NSL players of all time.

It has not been all easy, with Cobden missing significant time with both her clubs and England due to injury issues.

And it is perspective from those experiences that helps her accept the defeats when they come.

She added: “The Forest game is probably my favourite game we’ve had of the season, even though we lost. 

“I just thought it was nice to have that derby, we've never really had that before, and I think it’ll keep building which is cool.

Photo credit: Ben Lumley

“It was a nice feeling, and it was competitive rather than it being a really fierce rivalry. It was obviously really close the whole way through. 

“It was a shame we came off on the losing side of it, but Forest played really well, all credit to them. 

“We can play better than we did, so it is looking at where did it break down and where can we get better?” 

Having missed out on playing at the most recent Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup, Cobden has re-established herself in the Vitality Roses side. 

And while her injury issues mean she is taking things as they come, she is keen to add to her appearances at major tournaments. 

However, the 32-year-old admits nothing will get better than gold on the Gold Coast almost exactly seven years ago.

Photo credit: Ben Lumley

“That was the pinnacle,” she said. “If anyone ever asks, what is the highlight of your career, it is always that. 

“I don’t think anything could ever top that, even going forwards, if amazing things happen at Commonwealth Games, if we get there, World Cup.  

“It was amazing to be part of that history, and I was so lucky to be part of that incredible team.  

“It put a lot of things in perspective for me with netball. When we first went out there, we had games against Swifts and Giants, and we lost really badly. 

“And then to go on to win, that made me learn a lot about being in it for the long run, and these losses are not always a negative thing.” 

Loughborough Lightning go in search of their fourth win of the season in a top-four battle with London Mavericks on Saturday.

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Main photo courtesy of Hayley Balvin