Forest condemn Rhinos to eighth consecutive defeat

Image source, England Netball

• Published24 April 2026

Nottingham Forest made it back-to-back Netball Super League wins with a 68-63 victory over an NIC Leeds Rhinos side who fell to an eighth straight defeat.

Forest, in fourth, earned a fifth victory of the campaign to move within one point of AO Manchester Thunder in third.

"Speed is our best friend," said Forest head coach Chelsea Pitman after the win.

"We play the game really quick with rapid transitions. That's when we are at our best and Rhinos were really good at disrupting that.

"Kudos to them. They really took it to us. But I am really proud of us for grinding out the result."

South Africa shooter Rolene Streutker led the scoring for Forest with 34 goals with Anya Williams adding nine while Paige Reed finished with 31 for Rhinos.

• Watch: Netball Super League - Forest condemn Rhinos to eighth consecutive defeat

Meanwhile, Jayda Pechova, 20, registered three rebounds for Forest and was named the player of the match.

"I feel like I can still push a bit harder but I hope I can put my best foot forward to be selected for the England squad," said Pechova.

Pitman added: "Pechova is having a phenomenal season. The growth I have seen - and not just on the court - has been a blessing. She's such a coachable athlete.

"What a year she's having, especially with it being a Commonwealth Games year."

With 18 points, Forest boosted their chances of a top-four finish and thereby qualifying for the post-season stage while Rhinos remain seventh with just one win in nine matches.

How to follow 2026 Netball Super League on BBC Sport

BBC Sport will show one game per week during the regular season.

These are the games you can watch live on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer (UK only, all times BST):

4 May: Manchester Thunder v Birmingham Panthers (18:00)

9 May: Nottingham Forest v London Mavericks (15:00)

15 May: Loughborough Lightning v Nottingham Forest (19:00)

24 May: London Pulse v Dragons (17:00)

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