Round 9 of the Netball Super League saw the London derby take centre stage at the iconic OVO Arena Wembley. In front of a vibrant crowd, Mavericks faced off against league leaders London Pulse in a high-stakes clash filled with intensity, momentum shifts, and big moments. The atmosphere was electric from the first whistle, with both teams eager to make their mark.
The London derby got off to a lively start, with Mavericks settling quickly into their rhythm. Led by Ellie Rattu, the midcourt moved the ball with confidence, allowing Mavericks to control the early exchanges and edge ahead within the first 10 minutes.
However, a strong response from Pulse late in the quarter saw momentum shift. Capitalising on turnovers and finding their range in the shooting circle, Pulse finished strongly to take a 7-goal lead into the first break.
The second quarter picked up where the first left off, with both teams bringing high intensity. Amy Hepworth-Wain made an immediate impact off the bench, energising the crowd and helping to chip away at the deficit with some key defensive plays.
Kira Thacker continued her fine form from last week, confidently landing two-pointers to keep Mavericks in the contest. Despite a spirited and united effort across the court, Pulse’s composure and clinical execution under pressure highlighted why they sit top of the table. They extended their lead to 22–35 heading into halftime.
Both teams returned from halftime with renewed determination — Pulse aiming to extend their lead, while Mavericks came out with nothing to lose and everything to fight for. Mavericks matched the league leaders blow for blow in the early exchanges, showing real intent as they looked to close the gap ahead of the supershot period.
Midway through the quarter, the tempo dipped slightly, with the score at 32–41. But the introduction of Kira Rothwell injected fresh energy, as she nailed back-to-back supershots to ignite the crowd and shift momentum. With the pressure mounting, Pulse were forced into a timeout as Mavericks closed the gap. The quarter ended 43–49, setting up a thrilling final 15 minutes.
With the stage set for a dramatic finish, Kira Rothwell made her intentions clear early in the quarter, sinking a one-pointer to cut the deficit to five. As pressure mounted, both sides traded goals and forced turnovers, keeping the contest tightly poised heading into the final five minutes.
Mavericks continued to press, with Rothwell’s supershot threat keeping Pulse on edge. Despite the fightback, Pulse’s experience and composure in the closing stages proved decisive. They held firm and capitalised on late opportunities to pull away, sealing the win with a 53–63 final score.