Nottingham Forest closed out their debut season in sensational style with a commanding 80–61 win over Leeds Rhinos in Round 14 of the Netball Super League. A vibrant home crowd witnessed a thrilling performance as the Reds overcame a shaky start to dominate the final three quarters, ending the season on a high.
First Quarter
Forest got off to a competitive start, with defenders Tash Pavelin (GD) and Jayda Pechova (GK) making early interceptions in the Leeds circle, showcasing their strength in one-on-one matchups. However, Leeds Rhinos pushed through with sharp attacking plays, capitalising on defensive obstructions and creating a seven-goal difference with five minutes left in the quarter. Despite the early challenges, Forest responded through the ever-reliable Rolene Streutker who shot three super shots in the final minutes to reduce the deficit. Forest Netball 13-18 Leeds Rhinos.
Second Quarter
Both teams came out fired up, but Forest began to settle into their rhythm. Leeds maintained pressure with clinical finishes, but Forest showed improved structure and communication across the court. Spurred on by a growing home crowd, the Reds found their confidence, and the energy lifted across the squad. With Streutker continuing to impress from long range, Forest surged ahead in the final minutes of the half, overturning the deficit to head into the break with a four-goal lead.
Half-time: Forest Netball 36–32 Leeds Rhinos
Third Quarter
Leeds returned from the break with urgency, looking to reclaim their early dominance. But Forest met them head-on, matching goal for goal and maintaining composure. The quarter proved pivotal, with super shot minutes again allowing Streutker to demonstrate why she holds the league’s top super shot record. The shooting circle was calm and clinical, while Forest’s defence applied relentless pressure, disrupting Rhinos' flow. The Reds powered ahead, extending the lead to a commanding 16 goals. Forest Netball 61–45 Leeds Rhinos.
Fourth Quarter
With one quarter left of their inaugural season, Forest kept their energy up. Smart play, patience in attack, and consistent pressure in defence allowed them to maintain their grip on the match. A tactical timeout from Leeds midway through the quarter tried to slow the Reds’ charge, but the momentum was firmly in Forest’s favour. The final five minutes saw Forest manage the game smartly, comfortably seeing out the win.
Full-time: Forest Netball 80–61 Leeds Rhinos