London Pulse have been crowned 2018 U19 NPL champions after a dramatic 47-46 victory over Manchester Thunder in their last match of the season.
All of the teams came together at the University of Birmingham for the final 10 fixtures of the competition as an amazing season drew to a close with a nail-biting climax – and even parallels to the England Roses’ historic gold medal-winning heroics!
Thunder were the only side to start the day with a 100% record and ran out 42-38 winners in a close game against Yorkshire to maintain their unbeaten run.
London Pulse entered the final day having lost just once earlier in the season – a 61-57 defeat to Wasps Netball – and showed they meant business with a comprehensive 66-36 victory over Team Bath.
This set the stage for a decider with Thunder and London Pulse both knowing that the winner would take the U19 NPL title.
The match went down to the wire with Pulse pulling away to four clear in the closing stages before a resilient Thunder side came back, but a pinpoint feed and last-gasp goal secured the win for the London-based club.
After victories over Loughborough Lightning (82-48) and Severn Stars (67-43), Wasps finished one point behind – 41 in total – in third place, before there was a gap to fourth-placed Yorkshire and the remaining teams.
After a fantastic season of play, England Netball would like to thank all players, coaches, officials and volunteers for their hard work.
Congratulations to all the teams involved, especially London Pulse on winning the NPL U19 title.
To see all the results from the 2018 season, click here.
To see the final placings, click here.
