OVER the weekend the first ever Netball Super League Super Cup was run, which gave fans a first look at how the eight Netball Super League clubs are looking ahead of Round 1 this coming weekend.

Although each of the matches was no longer than a quarter of normal netball, it still gave those watching plenty of insight into where everyone is at.

Although it was the London Pulse who emerged as champions after beating the Leeds Rhinos in the final, perhaps more importantly it was the first time people got to see two brand new clubs – the Birmingham Panthers and Nottingham Forest – out on court.

We took a closer look at how the two sides went on their inaugural day of action, what went well for them and what they perhaps need to work on this week ahead of their Round 1 matches.

Birmingham Panthers

Game One

Opponent: London Mavericks

Game one saw the Panthers start really competitively but ultimately go on to lose to the London Mavericks by two goals.

Although it was clear early that the connection the team had from so many players having played together at the Stars previously, the one thing that seem to really let the Panthers down was a little bit of game awareness around the Super Shot. They had a chance to sink a Super Shot late to win the game but spent too much time passing the ball around trying to kill time, which then saw the Mavericks’ defence pounce on the intercept opportunity and go up the other end and score.

Game Two 

Opponent: Manchester Thunder

The Super Shot was again the downfall of the Panthers in game two as they went down to the Thunder.

Elmere van der Berg was prolific in the Super Shot time, with the Birmingham defenders unable to keep her out of the on court Super Shot zone and therefore unable to lessen the damage. Up the other end their own shooters were unable to keep up the pace, but Clara Miles again impressed, so if the Panthers need to call up a shooter during the season she would be a worthy choice.  

Game Three

Opponent: Nottingham Forest

Although they had a bit of a slow start, they worked their way back into the match and took the lead late in the first half after some strong turnover generation and prolific Super Shot work from Betsy Creak.

Speaking of Creak, interestingly she played a lot of the day in goal attack after spending much of last season just playing shooter.

However, things fell apart in the second half when Rolene Streutker – who had been kept quiet in the first half Super Shot time – was allowed to run amok in the Super Shot zone again, who again shot her side back into contention and got them the win with seconds to spare.

Nottingham Forest

Game One

Opponent: Manchester Thunder

Forest were comfortably beaten by the Thunder in their first match, but they did make a fight of it as they worked their way into the game.

A slow start really cost them in the end, as they had a bit of an issue transitioning from the centre third to their attacking third. Streutker was seriously impressive in the first game, proving to be a very handy weapon in the Super Shot time.

Game Two

Opponent: London Mavericks

Forest improved their issues from early in game one, but initially could not quite generate as many turnovers as the Mavericks, which saw the London side take the lead initially.

However once things got into the first Super Shot period, Streutker really found her range and volume from Super Shot distance, and this saw Forest take the lead.

In the second half they generated an impressive number of turnovers, which saw them extend out their lead and ultimately take the win. Tash Pavelin again impressed for Forest, taking a number of impressive intercepts just like she did in the first game.

Game Three

Opponent: Birmingham Panthers

Forest’s third game of the day showed that even if they do have a bad start in a game, it is not the be all and end all for them as they can work themselves back into a match.

It also showed how much of a weapon Streutker will be for them this season, and how impressive Falidah Kadondi is, even though she is on the shorter end of defenders in the league.

Semi Final

Opponent: Leeds Rhinos

As had been the issue all day for Forest, it was the Super Shot period that really made the difference in their Semi Final loss to the Rhinos. As much as Forest really fought back hard late in the match, they let Joyce Mvula be too influential while leaving too much for Streutker to do by herself.

NSL Super Cup 2025 Results

Group 1

London Mavericks (15) defeated Birmingham Panthers (13)
Manchester Thunder (22) defeated Nottingham Forest (13)
Manchester Thunder (20) defeated Birmingham Panthers (14)
Nottingham Forest (29) defeated London Mavericks (15)
Nottingham Forest (18) defeated Birmingham Panthers (16)
Manchester Thunder (17) defeated London Mavericks (12)

Group 2

Cardiff Dragons (17) defeated Leeds Rhinos (10)
Loughborough Lightning (16) drew with London Pulse (16)
Leeds Rhinos (16) defeated London Pulse (13)
Loughborough Lightning (18) defeated Cardiff Dragons (15)
Leeds Rhinos (12) defeated Loughborough Lightning (11)
London Pulse (15) defeated Cardiff Dragons (7)

Semi Finals

London Pulse (17) defeated Manchester Thunder (16)
Leeds Rhinos (15) defeated Nottingham Forest (13)

Grand Final

London Pulse (20) defeated Leeds Rhinos (15)