Thunder beat Pulse to win NSL 2026 grand final Image source, Ben LumleyImage caption, Manchester Thunder won their fifth Super League TitlePublished26 minutes agoManchester 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.”Related topicsNetball
