Latest news with #Pulse
South Wales Argus
9 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Hannah Joseph: Lightning must bring their own energy to the Copper Box
Lightning beat London Pulse 58-53 in May, the only side to defeat the regular season table-toppers at home this season. It continued Lightning's fine record of results at the venue, with their last two Grand Final victories also coming in east London. Joseph knows her side will continue to fine tune their performance, but will be using last month's victory as the base ahead of Friday's major semi-final clash against the same opponents. She said: 'Last time we went down there we were super pleased with our performance for around 50 minutes so going into this one, we are looking at what we did well and how we can repeat that as well as those areas we want to fix up. 'Going away to Pulse is always a really hard place to play. They have so many fans and the Copper Box can get very loud at times, but we will prepare for this major semi-final as we would prepare for any semi-final. 'It is probably going to be majority Pulse, so it is a good opportunity to see how we can get around each other and find our own energy.' Lightning finished second in the regular season table, five points behind Pulse after defeat on the final day to Birmingham Panthers. It was a fourth loss of the season for the defending champions, and Joseph hopes her side can take heed of any lessons learned before they travel to London on Friday. 'We were really disappointed with the loss, we always go out there to win. More than anything we didn't feel like we performed,' she added. 'It definitely will give us a kick in the right direction and fire us up but ideally we would have won that and performed well. That's the way you want to go into semi-finals. Ultimately though for semi-finals it is about how you turn up on the day.' Lightning have plenty of big match experience in their ranks, with Joseph one of the core members of the side who have won the last two Netball Super League titles. Vic Burgess was able to add experienced names such as Samantha Wallace-Joseph, Shadine van der Merwe and Jodie Gibson to the ranks this season and Joseph believes having that know-how will serve them well. 'The big thing is all of us stepping up,' she said. 'There are leaders like Nat [Panagarry] who are super vocal but you need everyone to be contributing in their own way, even if that looks different. 'The amount of experience we have in the squad and the number of people who have played in finals puts us in a good place because it is very different.' While Lighting have good memories from their last encounter with Pulse, they will also be keenly aware of the reverse fixture back in March which saw Pulse power to a 77-51 win. 'That loss against Pulse was huge for us,' said Joseph. 'It was very early on in the season and as a squad we could rationalise that some of it was performance and some of it was just where we were in the season. 'There have been some losses we weren't overly pleased with this year but there aren't huge blowout games anymore. There are super competitive games and for the sport that is a good place to be.' Friday's prize is a ticket straight to the Grand Final at the O2 Arena on 6 July. The loser must fight again in next weekend's Preliminary Final, against either Manchester Thunder or London Mavericks before they too can dream of the O2. 'To play at the O2 is going to be amazing,' added Joseph. 'The way the fans have got behind games this year has been amazing, netball has been bigger than ever. 'To get a final at the O2 is huge. We said at the start of the season we wanted to be there, we want to win three championships in a row but there are still some matches to win before we get to that point.' To keep up with the latest news, make sure to follow the @NetballSL on X, Instagram and TikTok, Netball Super League on Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our newsletter. The NSL Grand Final will be held at The O2 on 6 July for the first time ever. Get your tickets to experience live elite netball!
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Sam Bird: Pulse excited for the big stage
Sam Bird believes her London Pulse side are ready to embrace the big stage ahead of their major semi-final against Loughborough Lightning. Pulse finished top of the regular season table and come into Friday's clash at the Copper Box full of confidence off the back of four straight wins. Their last defeat came at the hands of Lightning, who have proved Pulse's nemesis in recent seasons. Pulse's last three campaigns have ended at the hands of Lightning, including defeat in the 2023 Grand Final at the Copper Box. But Bird believes her young squad have matured immeasurably since then and are now relishing the big matches. 'They are so desperate to show what they can do,' said Bird. 'It has gone from being nervous on that big stage to thriving on it. There's no arrogance, there's no complacency but it's an excitement to be involved in these games now opposed to being a bit scared.' Confidence is the watchword for Bird and her Pulse side, who have turned the tears of two years ago into an unwavering determination to achieve a maiden Netball Super League title. Twelve wins from their 14 matches this season, including a 77-51 demolition of Lightning away from home in March, has certainly helped. 'It does feel like we have momentum, and the squad is still developing and improving, we are still looking at growth at this point,' added Bird. 'The fact we have won the Super Cup and then league is a good confidence boost, and confidence is really important. 'We know this game is going to be tight on Friday, nobody is going to roll over, but we have confidence to know we can win and that really important going into the game.' The season has not been without its hitches either; a seven-game unbeaten start to the season came to a shuddering halt at the hands of Nottingham Forest in early May before Lightning won at the Copper Box two weeks later. The response, however, was exactly what Bird and her side needed in order to go again heading into the post-season. 'There was no finger-pointing, there was a lot of personal accountability both from the coaches and from players,' she revealed. 'We really recognised it was small things that contributed to those losses, and we were still the same strong roster.' Pulse's response on the court, four wins in a row to end the season, earned them top spot and a home major semi-final, meaning victory on Friday will send them straight through to the Grand Final at the O2 Arena. Bird is hoping home comforts can make all the difference, after reflecting that her squad may have been overwhelmed by changes to their routine ahead of last season's semi-final defeat to Lightning. 'It is really important to us to have this game at home,' said Bird. 'There is nothing better than playing at your home venue, an iconic venue like the Copper Box. It feels like we have done everything we can to put ourselves in a good position. 'Everybody is in their own bed, everyone is familiar with the venue. All our support staff are there; we have extra resource there to look after us. '[The major semi-final] is all new, so none of us as coaches have been through this process, so it is a new test for us. 'It feels less stressful to be in the major semi-final than a traditional semi-final, as that is knockout netball. It changes the mindset a little bit. We obviously want to win this game and then have a bit of recovery to peak for the final. That's the ideal route. 'It doesn't feel as edgy as when we played Loughborough last year in the semi-final, having beaten them twice in the league and then lost and it was all over. 'I genuinely feel like we couldn't have tried any harder this year, but just trying hard doesn't guarantee you anything.' To keep up with the latest news, make sure to follow the @NetballSL on X, Instagram and TikTok, Netball Super League on Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our newsletter. The NSL Grand Final will be held at The O2 on 6 July for the first time ever. Get your tickets to experience live elite netball!
Scoop
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Key Match-up For Pulse Against Steel
Back-to-back losses have left Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse on wobbly ground as they prepare for a high-stakes rematch against the Southern Steel in ANZ Premiership netball action in Wellington on Monday. An out-of-sorts Pulse have slipped to third spot on the points table and now have the Magic hot on their heels, poised one point behind with just four rounds remaining as the battle for a place in the Finals Series (top three) gathers momentum. ``We've all got the fuel to be better,'' Pulse midcourter Maddy Gordon said. ``It's always said that losses can be beneficial, that you can improve and get better from them but obviously, it's a shorter season, so there's not a lot of time to work things out. ``I'm confident that we can get out of this slump. The main thing is that everyone's mindset is looking ahead and how we can be better. ``We know how good we can be when we're all on and we've seen that in a couple of games, so it's just finding that spark again.'' One real positive for the Pulse has been the form of shooter Amelia Walmsley who has not missed a shot in her previous two matches and sits on top of the league for number of goals scored and highest percentage, at 97 percent accuracy. ``When we get her the ball, she's getting it in, so it's how we get her the ball more, which means looking after the ball, less losses as an attacking unit and really working on how we can get her that 100 percent ball because the stats tell a story there,'' Gordon said. Having a slow start to the season because of injury, Gordon is an influential figure in the midcourt with her big engine and relentless hustle. She has a strong connection with her shooter in providing near-perfect feeds but has been a little frustrated in working her way back. ``I feel like I'm doing okay,'' she said. ``It's been a slow climb…..I've been on managed loads for a bit but it's coming and I just need time under the belt. The positive thing is that each game it's getting a bit better. ``The vision into Amelia is going really well but I want to get a bit more oomph in that defence part and going for things. I'm confident that will come with more time in training, which has also been a bit on and off (in terms of participation).'' Making the bold decision to move to Wellington from Auckland in her first year out of school has proved life-changing for Gordon. With the aim of playing for Central Manawa in the National Netball League (NNL) and joining the Police Force, Gordon quickly found her feet and her way into the Silver Ferns and as such, a life on the beat, was quickly shelved. ``The ride has been crazy,'' she said. ``Coming down here playing NNL, working three jobs…I knew it was going to be tough work…….I never would have thought I would be in the Silver Ferns as a 20-year-old (debuting at 21), just because of how my story went and how I had to move so much to be where I am. ``I've had to work hard for it. It didn't just get given to me and where I am now, I never would have thought at 25, I'd be one of the experienced ones at the Pulse, let alone in the Silver Ferns as well. ``It's definitely been tough but I've loved it and wouldn't change it. The Pulse took a shot with me. I was never a big name, never on the wanted list. I put myself here and it was a case of, `watch me, I'll show you what I've got kind of thing'. And they really did and stuck with me through the whole time. ``They have made me the player I am today and I'm always grateful.'' For now, Gordon's got a wary on the Steel in what's shaping as a pivotal match for the Pulse. ``They had a great win last week and they probably weren't proud of their performance that they put up against us the last time we played (70-45 loss), so we know they'll be coming,'' she said. ``They're probably going to come out with something different, so we also need a plan B but we know what we need to do. We're excited but we do know that they're going to come out all guns blazing.''
Scoop
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Donna Wilkins - 'Fan Support Means Everything' As Tactix Prepare To Defend Home Court
After falling to the Go Media Stars in Round 2 of the ANZ Premiership, the VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix are preparing for Sunday's rematch at Wolfbrook Arean in Christchurch. The top of the table Tactix look to secure their fifth win in a row, sitting just one point ahead of the Mystics, but 13 points ahead of their weekend rival. Despite the northern rival winning only one out of six premiership games, the Tactix will not be underestimating their ability to turn-up the pressure on the court. In their first meeting, the Stars walked away with a 57-52 win in Auckland, dominating the Tactix from the second quarter with 7 intercepts and 12 gains, while Stars shooter Charlie Bell maintained a 91% shooting average. In preparation to face the one team that has walked away with a win against the Tactix this season, head coach Donna Wilkins said it is just another game with another worthy opponent. 'The importance of playing at home in front of our crowd is a big focus for us, and after last week's performance it is nice we have two (home games) in a row,' Wilkins said. Wilkins said the value of the home crowd cannot be underestimated, and the team felt the energy that came from the approximately 3700 fans that attended last week's game against the Pulse. 'One of our season goals is to defend our home court, having the support and such a big crowd last week was awesome to see,' Wilkins said. 'This is massive for the team and the support definitely makes it hard for other teams to come in and perform against us in our environment.' The Tactix have shown an ability to adapt and grow week to week and Wilkins believes avoiding injury or illness and having a full ten player squad has made a real difference. 'Being able to have everyone available for training during the week gives us more time working together and more confidence with our structures and game plans,' she said. That work has focused on improving week-by-week, with the Tactix looking to tap into areas of the game that need the most improvement. One on-court area that Wilkins will be pleased with is the performance of her shooters Ellie, Bird, Martina Salmon and Te Paea Selby-Rickit. Salmon was starting pick for goalshoot against the Pulse, and maintained a 90% shooting average, up from 84% when the Tactix took on the Stars in Round 2. Wilkins would not comment on who would be starting in the goal circle this weekend, with Bird, Salmon and Selby-Rickit all strong contenders.
![MARKET PULSE AM JUNE 17, 2025 [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
MARKET PULSE AM JUNE 17, 2025 [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: News on the latest moves on the stock and crypto markets. Bursa Malaysia began the day on a lower note this Tuesday, even as Wall Street closed on a stronger footing overnight. Analysts continue to adopt a cautious stance. Although tensions in the Middle East have eased, peace talks have yet to produce any firm resolutions. The benchmark index is expected to hover within the range of 1,515 to 1,525 points throughout the day. Among the most actively traded counters in early dealings were Bumi Armada, NationGate Holdings, and Steel Hawk. In the cryptocurrency space, Bitcoin is currently trading at around RM400,053, while Ethereum stands at approximately RM10,923. That's it for Market Pulse.
