Rhinos beat debutants Panthers in season opener

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.

The matches were the first of the 2025 campaign, the first of the relaunched league as it moves towards professionalisation.

Round one provided the first opportunity for fans to see the new rules in action, the standout one being the super shot - a chance for shooters to score a two-point goal from a certain area of the shooting circle during the last five minutes of each quarter.

Along with the awarding of a point for a less than five-point loss, it is hoped the super shot will increase competition and create more exciting matches.

Round one fixtures

Sunday, 16 March