Sam Bird thrilled with London Pulse turnaround

Sam Bird was left thrilled with the way her London Pulse side recovered from a slow start to defeat Loughborough Lightning and seal their place in the 2025 Netball Super League Grand Final.

Pulse endured a sluggish opening quarter at the Copper Box Arena and scored just three goals in the opening 12 minutes.

They rallied to reduce the deficit to just eight at the end of both the first and second quarters, but came roaring back after half time to level the scores before eking out a tense 50-49 victory.

“What a mad game,” said Bird. “A terrible start from us. We keep talking about starting well and we don’t. Loughborough were really smart, really clinical in the first quarter. It was pretty hard to watch.

“I keep saying with this team there is a grit and determination to win. The players knew it wasn’t good enough. They are driving these victories.”

A key focus for Bird at the halfway stage was to create more room for goal shooter Olivia Tchine, who responded in style with a serene showing in the circle.

The Vitality Rose sunk three consecutive Soft & Gentle Super Shots to turn the match around in the fourth quarter, with Pulse trailing by six.

“Livvy just locked in on her shooting,” added Bird. “I thought she was outstanding in the second half in particular. She is a world-class shooter.”

The other pivotal change from Bird saw the introduction of 16-year-old Gracie Smith at centre.

Smith had only completed her GCSEs the previous week but produced a performance beyond her years.

“She did so well,” said Bird. “Loughborough put on a really strong zone and forced us out wide, Gracie is a really big physical presence and we wanted her to punch through the middle and draw some players in.

“She is so coachable, she just does what you ask. She started doing that and it created some space for us to get moving.”

Pulse were roared on by a raucous home crowd that contributed heavily to a frenetic energy inside the Copper Box, as the sides went toe-to-toe in a rollercoaster encounter.

“It was a fantastic crowd here tonight, that is as loud as it has been,” continued Bird.

“We have had big crowds here all season, so we are used to it. Creating this cauldron is what you earn when you win the league and get home advantage.

“It felt like that carried us through in those last couple of minutes.”

Pulse can now look ahead to the Grand Final at the O2 Arena in a fortnight’s time, while Lightning must face Manchester Thunder in the Preliminary Final.

It gives Pulse what could be a crucial weekend off, but Bird insisted there will be no let-up in their preparation as they chase a maiden Netball Super League title.

“We are nearly there. To have the privilege of playing at the O2, we expect a lot of London Pulse fans to be there.

Hopefully the atmosphere we have created here will be quadrupled at the O2," she added.

“We will bring our wider team in to look after the players and focus on recovery, but we won’t put our foot off the gas. We have got to go all the way.”

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