Manchester Thunder clinched their fifth Netball Super League crown with a 54-51 victory over London Pulse before a home crowd of more than 8,000 at Manchester’s Co‑op Live. The final was deadlocked at 51‑51 with under a minute left before Eleanor Cardwell’s two‑point super shot broke the tie. Sophie Fawns earned player‑of‑the‑match honours, capping a dramatic finish. Fans roared loudly as the final seconds unfolded.

Cardwell, back from a serious knee injury after three seasons in Australia, led Thunder with a team‑high 20 goals. Pulse’s Liv Tchine topped the scoring chart with 35, but Thunder’s dominance on super shots—11 to Pulse’s four—proved decisive, and kept the pressure on. The win followed a similar playoff‑stage triumph two weeks earlier, reinforcing Thunder’s superiority.

Finishing top of the regular‑season table, Thunder secured their first title since 2022 and gave director‑coach Karen Greig her third league triumph since taking the reins in 2016. Greig praised hosting the final in the north, saying it showcases growing demand and inspires young fans. The victory cements Thunder’s status as the benchmark side this season across England.