After conceding their 100 per cent record to Nottingham Forest last weekend Sam Bird is encouraging London Pulse to respond strongly and get back to winning ways against London Mavericks on Sunday at Wembley Arena.
The surprise result from round eight of the 2025 Netball Super League season saw Forest, coached by former Pulse representative Chelsea Pitman, get straight to business and take the game out of the Stratford-based side’s reach.
After closely edging the first quarter 16-15 at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, the hosts, currently fifth in the standings, gradually expanded their lead and eventually handed leaders Pulse their first defeat of the season with their 69-59 success.
Forest’s 87 per cent shooting success rate to Pulse's 76 per cent proved key to their victory. Alarmingly Pulse missed 15 shots to Forest’s nine and also gave away 53 penalties.
Rolene Streutker top scored for Forest with 42 goals, while Olivia Tchine replied with 31.
“We've just made too many errors but credit to Nottingham Forest I thought they played really well against us,” Bird told BBC Sport.
Her side had posted two straight home victories against Manchester Thunder (61-56) and Cardiff Dragons (67-52) prior to the Forest defeat.
“I think we found it difficult to get our connections going that we normally find very easily and they shut those off, then we got a little bit frustrated and just lost our rhythm a little bit," added Bird.
“Sometimes things just don't click. I don't want to over-analyse because there were still some good things but obviously disappointed for us.
“I think in some ways that pressure that we're unbeaten and having that label is now gone so playing a bit freer. I think just really looking back at what we do well and playing to our strengths and I don't think we were allowed to do that. I'm just navigating how to place in our superpowers and come back strong.”
London Mavericks, who remain fourth with 16 points, prepared for their big Wembley date with Pulse by defeating bottom side Cardiff Dragons 72-51 after extra time at their Hertfordshire Sports Village headquarters in Hatfield.
Second-placed defending league champions Loughborough Lightning closed the gap to two points (19 points) behind Pulse (21 points) after beating third-placed Manchester Thunder 65-53.
And Birmingham Panthers clinched only their second victory of the season after narrowly defeating Leeds Rhinos 71-69 after extra time in Worcester.
Tickets for Sunday’s Mavericks v Pulse clash are available at: londonmavericks.co.uk or in person on game day at Wembley Arena box office, otherwise Sky Sports Mix, Sky Sports Plus and Sky Sports YouTube channel televises from 3.55pm.
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