The Birmingham Panthers took on Leeds Rhinos last Friday in the final round of the season. Following a hard-fought victory over the London Mavericks in Round 13, the team were determined to finish their campaign on a high.

The Birmingham Panthers came out firing in the opening quarter, creating turnover opportunities and moving the ball smoothly to the attacking unit. Their strong start saw them take a 17-11 lead into the first break.

The second quarter was a huge defensive effort from the Birmingham Panthers, restricting Leeds Rhinos to just seven goals for the period and forcing a tactical timeout. The introduction of Ruth Hughes added a fresh dynamic to the attacking end, helping maintain momentum as the Birmingham Panthers extended their lead to 31-18 at halftime.

The seven remained unchanged after the break following a consistent first-half performance. Leeds Rhinos found some rhythm in the third quarter and produced some impressive passages of netball, but Birmingham Panthers remained in control, taking a 47-32 lead into the final change.

The final quarter was a fitting finish to the season, with all ten players taking the court during the 67-43 victory. Kira Rothwell slotted seamlessly into the shooting circle while also picking up an intercept in the goal third. Tami Fapohunda made an immediate impact, turning over possession in Birmingham’s favour shortly after entering the game.

It was an outstanding defensive display from the Birmingham Panthers, with Michelle Magee, Gabby Coffey and Charli Fidler instrumental in the back end. The defensive end recorded 20 gains to Leeds’ Rhino’s six and dominated the rebounding statistics, finishing with 11 rebounds to Leeds’ Rhino’s two.

Izzy Kaye also delivered a standout performance, finishing with 12 feeds and four deflections to earn Player of the Match honours for the Panthers.

After a challenging season, the Birmingham Panthers showed tremendous resilience and growth, securing seventh place on the ladder and improving week after week. As the players now enter a well-earned break, stay tuned for what comes next.