The Netball Super League 2025 season kicked off with a bang as Loughborough Lightning took on Manchester Thunder at the AO Arena on March 16th. Lightning pulled off a solid 66-52 win in a game that had plenty of grit and standout moments.
Lightning Start Fast and Fierce
Right from the first whistle, Loughborough Lightning came out swinging. They were fast, accurate, and their defensive unit was like a brick wall. Thunder had their work cut out trying to break through, and Lightning’s early intensity set the tone. It was clear they weren’t messing around, and that strong start helped them keep the upper hand for most of the match.
Shadine Van Der Merwe Shines Bright
Shadine van der Merwe was a force out there, and no surprise she nabbed Player of the Match. Her skill and footwork were next level—constantly going for the ball, snagging intercepts, and just disrupting Thunder’s flow. You could see Thunder losing confidence in their passes to the shooters every time she got involved. She was a proper game-changer on defence.
Van Der Berg Grows into the Game
Over on Thunder’s side, their shooter van der Berg had a cracking game. She started steady but really found her groove as the match went on. Super accurate under the post and brave enough to set up for those super shots. Her confidence grew with every goal, and she kept Thunder in the fight.
Thunder’s Mid-Court and Defence Hold Their Own
Thunder weren’t just sitting back taking it—they had a strong mid-court and defence of their own. Huckle was doing her thing, always managing to disrupt Lightning’s play and throw a spanner in their attacking moves. It gave Thunder some breathing room, but Lightning’s overall cohesion made it tough for them to capitalise fully.
Lucy Herdman Impresses at Goal Attack
Lucy Herdman at Goal Attack for Thunder really caught my eye. Always available, using fakes to throw off defenders, and pulling off some unreal feeds into van der Berg. You could see a strong connection growing between them as the game went on. She brought a lot of spark to Thunder’s attack and kept them ticking even when Lightning started pulling away.
Lightning’s Unbeatable Endgame
By the final quarter, Lightning’s defence and attacking units were just too much. The combo of Ella Clarke and Berri Neal was lethal—Clarke was so accurate and stayed calm no matter the pressure. Their connection was on another level, and Thunder couldn’t find an answer. Lightning’s defence tightened up even more, and they cruised to that 66-52 win.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Lightning will be chuffed with this start as they head into their next fixture against London Pulse on March 22nd at the Sir David Wallace Arena. Thunder, meanwhile, have a chance to bounce back when they play Birmingham Panthers on March 21st. Both teams showed plenty of promise—it’s gonna be a cracking season!
What did you think of the game? Anyone else stand out for you? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’m keen to hear what you reckon! NSL 2025 is already delivering some proper netball drama.