Netball Super League 2025 results: London Pulse beat champions Loughborough Lightning

On Friday, four-time champions Manchester Thunder were dominant in beating Birmingham Panthers 77-47 to claim their first win of the 2025 season.

After defeat by holders Loughborough Lightning on the opening weekend, Thunder were much improved in Birmingham.

The Panthers kept it close in the first quarter but Karen Greig’s side pulled away in the second to lead 36-21 at half-time and doubled their advantage in the second half, with 47 goals from South Africa’s Elmere van der Berg.

In Friday’s other match, league newcomers Nottingham Forest claimed their first win too as they beat Cardiff Dragons 70-54 at Motorpoint Arena.

Rolene Streutker scored 31 goals for Forest, with Dragons’ goal shooter Georgia Rowe getting 33 in a losing cause.

Meanwhile, England men’s will host Australia, the world’s top-ranked side, for the first time in a three-test series in May and June.

All three matches will be played as double-headers with Super League fixtures, two at Copper Box Arena on 25 May and 1 June, with one at Motorpoint Arena sandwiched in between on 31 May.