Hey netball fans! The 2025 Netball Super League kicked off with a cracking match at the Copper Box Arena on March 16th, where London Pulse took on newcomers Nottingham Forest Netball. Spoiler alert: Pulse weren’t messing around, securing a 73-51 win in front of their home crowd. It was a proper showcase of skill, grit, and some fresh talent—let’s break it down.
Pulse Start Strong with a Disciplined Defence
Right from the whistle, London Pulse’s defensive unit meant business. They were tight, disciplined, and gave Forest barely any room to breathe. Funmi Fadoju was a constant thorn in Forest’s side—always getting involved, disrupting plays, and just being her usual pesky self. That defensive pressure set the tone early, and it paid off as Pulse pulled ahead in the first quarter. When Darcie Everett came off the bench, she turned it up a notch—fast feet, hands on everything, and some serious pressure that rattled Forest’s attack. Safe to say, the backline was a fortress.
Liv Tchine Brings the Heat
Liv Tchine was on absolute fire out there. You can really see how much she’s grown from her international experience—calm under pressure, sharp in her movements, and just deadly accurate. She was sinking shots left, right, and centre, giving Pulse a reliable scoring outlet all game. It’s no surprise the crowd was buzzing every time she got the ball.
Rolene Streutker’s Quiet Confidence
Rolene Streutker caught my eye with how composed she was. Always smiling, never fazed—she was just great to watch. She’s got this calm vibe that steadied Forests attack, and I’m proper looking forward to seeing how she develops this season. Definitely a name to keep an eye on.
Young Guns Step Up: Gracie Smith and Darcie Everett
At just 16 years old, Gracie Smith showed she’s got some serious potential. Playing centre, she was fast, athletic, and made a real impact when she got her chance. She darted through the court like she’d been doing it for years—one to watch for sure. And Darcie Everett, as I mentioned earlier, brought instant energy off the bench. Her speed and knack for getting hands on the ball turned defence into attack in a flash. These young players are giving Pulse some real depth this season.
Alicia Scholes Shines as Player of the Match
Alicia Scholes was the standout of the night, and no surprise she nabbed Player of the Match. Her vision for the shooters was next-level—she always seemed to know exactly where to put the ball. Add to that her speed and agility cutting through the court, plus some decisive plays, and you’ve got a proper all-rounder. She was pulling the strings in midcourt, and Forest just couldn’t keep up with her.
Nottingham Forest’s First Outing: A Tough Start
It wasn’t an easy debut for Nottingham Forest Netball, who’ve stepped into the NSL as one of two new franchises this year alongside Birmingham Panthers. Backed by the Premier League football club, Forest are looking to carve out their own legacy in the league, as their head coach Chelsea Pitman put it before the match. They showed some fight, especially early on, but struggled against Pulse’s relentless pressure. The new NSL rules—like the super shot in the final five minutes of each quarter and bonus points for close losses—kept things interesting, but Forest couldn’t quite find their rhythm against a seasoned Pulse side.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Pulse are off to a flying start with this win, and they’ll be looking to carry that momentum into their next fixture against Loughborough Lightning on March 22nd. Meanwhile, Forest have a chance to regroup before they face Cardiff Dragons at home on March 21st. It’s early days, but this revamped NSL is already serving up some cracking games—can’t wait to see what’s next.
Got thoughts on the match? Who was your standout player? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear what you made of it!