Netball Super League 2025: Leeds Rhinos and London Mavericks win in opening round of new season

Leeds Rhinos came from behind to inflict a 71-63 defeat on Netball Super League newcomers Birmingham Panthers in the opening round of the new season.

Panthers led 38-36 at half-time, but Rhinos put the new super shot rule – which allows shooters to score double points for a shot made from a certain area in the circle during the last five minutes of each quarter – to good use to overturn the deficit.

Rhinos shooter Joyce Mvula was named player of the match for an impressive showcase of her shooting range, both under the post and from distance.

Panthers showed promise of a late comeback but were unable to close the gap enough to earn a point – another new rule for this season which rewards losing teams with a deficit of five goals or less.

The Birmingham side are one of two new additions, along with Nottingham Forest, to the relaunched eight-team division after Team Bath, Surrey Storm, Severn Stars and Strathclyde Sirens were left out.

Meanwhile, London Mavericks also overturned a two-point deficit at half-time to claim their first victory of the 2025 campaign with a 65-56 triumph over Cardiff Dragons.