Pulse in control: London Pulse dominate newcomers Forest in a 73-51 win.
- Bethany Barker
- Mar 16
- 3 min read
London Pulse 73-51 Nottingham Forest
London Pulse started their 2025 Super League season with a 73-51 victory against Nottingham Forest at the Copperbox this evening after sealing the inaugural Netball Super Cup last week.
A slow start to a scrappy contest featured plenty of super shots and contests as important impact changes from London Pulse helped secure their first three points of the season.
How the Game Unfolded:
Following a slow start, Nottingham Forest took the first goal through South African Protea Rolene Streurker before the visitors overturned London Pulse’s first centre pass to gain a two-goal advantage.
The home side’s own turnover was rewarded by England Rose shooter Olivia Tchine who continued to shoulder the goals for her side in the opening 15 minutes.
Within the first super shot time, both sides missed their first attempts before Nichole Breedt netted Pulse’s first super shot of the season, with Tchine netting her first shot soon after, extending their lead by four.
After a scrappy start, Pulse created more direct passages of play after Forest’s early releases meant they needed to step up their transitions. Forest were able to keep in the game through Streurker’s super shot conversions.
Q1: London Pulse 18-14 Nottingham Forest
After multiple phases of play, Forest opened the second 15 minutes with a successful baseline shot from Streurker. Alongside this, Tchine continued her run of form as the momentum continued to be in favour of the Pulse side.
Following a Forest offensive contact on Halimat Adio, Pulse extended their lead by seven thanks to a one-point goal from Tchine, shortly followed by another super shot conversion from Breeedt.
Q2: London Pulse 37-30 Nottingham Forest (19-16)
Going into the second half, Pulse youngster Gracie Smith made her NSL debut replacing Tyler Orr, with Jayda Pechova being replaced by Faridah Kadondi for Forest.
Following end-to-end goals, Forest’s box defensive efforts were rewarded as Tash Pavelin picked up a loose ball in Pulse’s attacking circle, being rewarded by Streurker at the other end.
Pulse created a ten-goal lead, Forest looked to their bench to find answers to try close the gap; these changes included Jayda Pechova returning to court and Freya Henshall replacing Rhea Dixon.
London Pulse’s defensive efforts made it difficult for the Forest attackers to create chances, both in the one and two point areas, within the last five minutes of the quarter as the home side extended their lead thanks to another Tchine super shot.
Brie Grierson was replaced by Iona Christian who made her returning NSL debut, helping her side create a super shot chance for Streurker.
The third quarter was a huge confident 15 minutes for London Pulse, who used their defensive pressure to prevent the Forest attackers from using their transverse connections, placing more pressure on Streurker.
Q3: London Pulse 55-38 Nottingham Forest (18-8)
Going into the last quarter, Nichole Breeedt and Halimat Adiowere were replaced by Gracie Smith and Darvie Everitt, with no changes for Pitman’s side.
Darcie Everitt made an immediate impact in the defensive end, helping to delay Forest’s attacking pressure alongside Funmi Fadoju.
Tyler Orr returned to the court in Wing Attack, replacing Alicia Scholes as Pulse looked to remain in control and secure the three points.
In the last 5 minutes of the match, both sides’ attacking ends continued to aim for the super shot, with Gracie Smith netting her first of the season and Rolene Streurker continuing her run of form. With 73 goals put up, London Pulse overtook Leeds Rhinos’ score of 71 as the highest score of the opening weekend. Despite facing a loss this week, Nottingham Forest showed their attacking talent, being able to find their attackers effectively in both regular and super shot time.
Q4: London Pulse 73-51 Nottingham Forest (18-13)
Player of the Match- Alicia Scholes (via BBC)
London Pulse will next travel to face reigning champions Loughborough Lightning on Saturday, the 22nd of March, with Nottingham Forest hosting Cardiff Dragons in their first home game at the Motorpoint Arena the day before.
Teams:
LONDON PULSE- Olvia Tchine (GS), Nichole Breeedt (GA), Alicia Scholes (WA), Tyler Orr (C), Zara Everitt* (WD), Funmi Fadoju (GD), Halimat Adio (GK)
Bench- Darvie Everitt, Sophie Kelly, Gracie Smith
Head Coach- Sam Bird
NOTTINGHAM FOREST- Rolene Streurker (GS), Rhea Dixon (GA), Brie Grierson (WA), Niamh Cooper* (C), Hannah Leighton (WD), Tash Pavelin (GD), Jayda Pechova (GK)
Bench- Iona Christian, Freya Henshall, Faridah Kadondi
Head Coach- Chelsea Pitman
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