Manchester Thunder won their fifth Netball Super League title with a thrilling 54-51 win over London Pulse in front of a home crowd of over 8,000 fans at the Co-op Live.
The grand final was tied at 51-51 with less than a minute remaining before the Thunder’s Eleanor Cardwell edged them ahead with a super shot before player of the match Sophie Fawn then sealed victory.
It was the Thunder’s first title since 2022, having finished top of the regular season table, and a third title for Thunder director and head coach Karen Greig since she joined the team in 2016.
“I think first and foremost it was important to have a final in Manchester and away from London,” Greig told BBC Sport.
“To show the netball community that there is a hunger for netball in the north. A lot of young fans who will go home inspired by their heroes on the court. Excited to be part of history.
“[The title in] 2019 was a rollercoaster, 2022 was special for different reasons but playing in Manchester, 10 minutes down the road from where I live – I could probably throw a netball and it would land in my back garden – so definitely proud to do the job we could do and it definitely ranks up there.”
“I’m thinking back to the 2012 grand final, it was in a sports hall leisure centre and it was so easy to spot my mum and dad,” Cardwell added. “Today? I couldn’t find them.
“It’s incredible, we need to keep that standard up and the momentum. Plus, Manchester was busy today as a city so it was amazing to see so many fans come out for us.”