London Pulse secured high spot on the finish of the Netball Tremendous League common season – and with it dwelling benefit for the main semi-final within the play-offs.
Pulse led Loughborough Lightning by two factors going into the ultimate spherical of video games and got a serving to hand.
It got here from Birmingham Panthers who induced a shock of their coach Jo Journey’s ultimate recreation in cost by attaining a 67-58 success over Lightning, who’ve gained three of the previous 4 Grand Finals, to make sure Pulse completed high.
Antonia Mitchell had 42 objectives for Panthers who pulled clear within the second quarter in opposition to a Lightning aspect who lacked fluency and could have loads to consider earlier than the play-offs.
Pulse then ensured they go into subsequent weekend’s recreation in opposition to Lightning on a excessive with a snug 67-44 victory over backside aspect Cardiff Dragons, helped by 36 objectives from Olivia Tchine.
The winner of the main semi-final goes straight to the Grand Last whereas the loser will face the winner of the minor semi-final between third and fourth – Manchester Thunder and London Mavericks – to find out the opposite finalist.
Thunder and Mavericks lined up for a costume rehearsal on Saturday with the Manchester aspect successful 67-45 at Wembley Area, led by 50 objectives from Elmere van der Berg.
Within the weekend’s ultimate recreation on Sunday, the game will say farewell to certainly one of its best gamers.
Former England star Geva Mentor takes to the court docket for the final time earlier than she retires as she traces up for Leeds Rhinos in opposition to Nottingham Forest (16:00 BST) in a match you may watch reside on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport web site.
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