Netball Super League 2025: Leeds Rhinos and London Mavericks win in opening round of new season
Leeds Rhinos scored 71-63 defeats from behind Premier League rookie Birmingham Panthers in the first round of the new season.
The Panthers led 38-36 in the halftime, but Rhinos listed the new Super Shot rules – which allowed the shooter to score twice from a shot made in a certain area in the circle in the last five minutes of each quarter to make up for the deficit.
Rhinos shooter Joyce Mvula was named a player in the game for her shooting range at the post office and at the distance.
The Panthers showed hope for a late return, but couldn’t close the gap enough to win a point – another new rule of the season, rewarding teams that lost five goals or fewer.
Birmingham side is one of two new members of Nottingham Forest, missing eight teams after the Bath team, Surrey Storm, Surrey Storm, Severn Stars and Strathclyde Sirens.
Meanwhile, the London Mavericks also overturned a two-point deficit in the half-time game, beating Cardifflong 65-56 for the first time in the 2025 campaign.
