London Pulse hit the summit of the Netball Super League after the first round of fixtures in the 2025 season thanks to a controlled victory over Nottingham Forest.

They were joined in opening night victory by NIC Leeds Rhinos, who got past new franchise Birmingham Panthers on Friday night.

London Mavericks also earned three points on Friday as they got past Cardiff Dragons, while Loughborough Lightning overcame Manchester Thunder 66-52 in an early rematch of last season's Grand Final.

Pulse hit the front

London Pulse made a strong start to the 2025 Netball Super League season with a 73-51 victory at home to Nottingham Forest.

After a tight opening 10 minutes, Pulse used the Soft & Gentle Super Shot to full effect to pull clear at the end of the first quarter, and never relinquished their lead from there.

Nichole Breedt proved particularly adept from range, and formed a strong partnership with Olivia Tchine in the circle as Pulse ramped up the pressure as the match went on.

Forest were not without their own threat, and Rolene Streutker also showed her Super Shot ability throughout, while Brie Grierson enjoyed an absorbing battle with Zara Everitt from the first minute.

It was not enough to stop Pulse from pulling clear, however, as the defensive combination of Funmi Fadoju and Halimat Adio began to win more ball to shut down the Forest attack.

Palmer enjoys winning debut

Lauren Palmer made a winning start to life as a Netball Super League head coach, as her NIC Leeds Rhinos side beat Birmingham Panthers 71-63.

Player of the Match Joyce Mvula led the way with 42 goals at 91% and it was Rhinos’ work in the circle that paid dividends.

The hosts needed three fewer shots to outscore their opponents by eight, underlining the work Palmer and her side put into embracing the new Soft & Gentle Super Shot.

“We are so thrilled and so excited,” reflected Palmer. “We knew it was going to be  tough tonight, and it definitely was.

“Everyone was a bit uncertain with how the Super Shot was going to go but we have definitely embraced it.

“The girls were outstanding tonight and we are so proud of what they put out there.”

Defending champions make winning start

Loughborough Lightning ensured Manchester Thunder would exact no revenge for last season’s Grand Final with a 66-52 victory at the AO Arena.

The game burst into life after a cagey opening 15 minutes, as Lightning stretched into a comfortable lead in the second quarter.

However, Thunder kept themselves in touch, in large part thanks to Elmerè van der Berg’s imperious ability to repeatedly drain the Super Shot.

The South African formed an effective partnership with Lucy Herdman in the circle to reduce the deficit to four at the halfway stage.

Lightning remained within Thunder’s reach for much of the third quarter but the back-to-back champions began to really motor in the fourth.

The circle combination of Ella Clark and Berri Neil saw Lightning pull away late on and wrap up an impressive victory on the road.

Mavericks show mettle to fight back

London Mavericks produced an impressive fourth quarter to claim a 65-56 victory away at Cardiff Dragons.

Mavericks trailed by two at half time after two incredibly close-fought quarters, with Dragons shooter Georgia Rowe rarely putting a foot wrong under the post.

The third quarter experienced a lengthy delay after an injury to Vicki Oyesola, but Mavericks rallied following the loss of their teammate to take control of the contest.

Captain Ellie Rattu stepped up to control the mid-court, with Razia Quashie leading the defence with some vital interventions.

Kira Rothwell made good use of the Soft & Gentle Super Shot in tandem with shooter Emily Andrew, and Dragons were unable to stem the tide to stop Mavericks from pushing out to a nine-goal victory.