NSL 2024: MATCH REPORT: LONDON PULSE v STRATHCLYDE SIRENS

By Paul Prenderville 

London Pulse kicked off their three-game run of home fixtures with a dominant all-round performance to beat Strathclyde Sirens 66-45 and register their second win of the season on their own court.

Last time out at home was a disappointing result, and performance, in defeat to Severn Stars, but it was a different story as Pulse started fast and never looked back, chalking up their second highest goal tally of the season in process.

Although for head coach Sam Bird there was still plenty to improve on: “It’s a big score but we should expect that, we are a top four team and Sirens have not won a game yet this season.

“If we are looking at being a championship-winning side, we still need to make improvements. We looked at dividing the quarters up today into five-minute spells, to see where errors might be coming and we can still see dips in our form. More of a concentration issue than skill issue but also the pace, I want us to play fast but that can bring mistakes.

“One thing that we wanted to improve on was changes, and when we made them, that we were still able to play in the same way and that was much improved today.

“The changes were all positive, nobody struggled when they came on and the connections were still there and that was a step forward for us.”

After back-to-back wins on the road against Leeds Rhinos and Cardiff Dragons, Bird and her squad were back in the capital and having won all four quarters and got all 12 players on the court it was an almost perfect day.

The only disappointment was an ankle injury to Brie Grierson that will require a scan over the weekend.

After Dragons were beaten by Loughborough, and with Mavericks not playing until Sunday, the win gives Pulse an eight-point cushion over the teams outside the top four, and keeps them within three points of league leading Lightning.

STORY OF THE GAME

Sam Bird took the opportunity to rotate her squad with Grierson handed her first start of the season, and Alicia Scholes switching to Centre. Meanwhile, Sirens were dealt a blow with Kelly Boyle ruled out through illness, so Emma Love came in at Wing Attack for a rejigged visitors who arrived looking for their first win of the season.

Olivia Tchine served early notice of her intent, striking with the first three goals of her game to give Pulse an early cushion. For Sirens, South African Goal Attack Sammy Ngubane has impressed in her first Superleague season and she was on target to get the visitors moving.

However Pulse’s impressive all-court pressure was forcing mistakes and a five goal burst midway through the quarter was highlighted by a brilliantly slick link-up between Zara Everitt, Scholes and Tchine. A strong Sirens finish ensured the visitors stayed in touch, but Pulse had established a significant early advantage. 

Q1: London Pulse 17-10 Strathclyde Sirens

Injury to Grierson brought Izzi Phillips into the action earlier than expected, and Scholes reverted to her usual Wing Attack position and the impact was instant. Scholes fired in a classy feed to a wide open Tchine and Berri Neil maintained the early 100% Pulse shooting record when she was found by Phillips’ fine ball into the circle and the home side threatened to pull clear.

A determined Sirens side refused to be overpowered and clawed their way back into the contest with a 4-1 run, as Pulse lost their early fluidity.

Ngubane finished off good work from Hannah Williams and Emma Love. But just when a comeback looked on, Pulse, with Neil instrumental and Tchine clinical, stretched the lead out to nine at half-time.

Q2: London Pulse 30-21 Strathclyde Sirens (13-11)

That focus continued as Pulse – with Jeresia McEachrane on for Funmi Fadoju at Goal Defence and Nichole Taljaard replacing Scholes at Wing Attack – starting fast.

Five unanswered goals set the tone for a third quarter as the lead stretched out to 14 before a reshuffled Sirens could get to grips with the quarter.

Pulse began to flow in attack, building on the positives from Round 7 and in defence Halimat Adio was winning ball almost at will, taking her turnover count to seven and putting Bethan Goodwin under relentless pressure.

With Taljaard – who has played at Goal Attack and Goal Shooter – showcasing her versatility with a strong feed throughout the quarter, Pulse had a 13-goal lead heading into the final 15 minutes.

Q3: London Pulse 47-34 Strathclyde Sirens (17-13)

After the teams traded turnovers across the opening exchanges it fell to Neil to get the game back on track. Three changes, including the introduction of Darcie Everitt, and positional shifts for McEachrane and Taljaard saw Pulse take their time to find their rhythm. But with the result all but secure the goals finally began to flow.

Taljaard returned to the Goal Shooter position, and player of the match Neil was delivering the goods as both playmaker and goaltaker, the highlight being a brilliant 1-2 with Scholes to cash in on Darcie Everitt’s pick-up.

A blistering finish including more minutes – and a fine turnover – from Jada Autumn as well as some fine attacking combinations, allowed Pulse to close out their second biggest win of the season.

Up next are games against Mavericks and Team Bath and a chance to stretch the winning run to five games.

Q4: London Pulse 66-45 Strathclyde Sirens (19-11)

Player of the Match – Berri Neil

Starting 7s

Pulse: GK – Adio; GD – Fadoju; WD – Z Everitt; C – Scholes; WA – Grierson; GA – Neil; GS – Tchine. Bench – D Everitt, McEachrane, Autumn, Phillips, Taljaard.

Sirens: GK – Sanders; GD – Nicholl; WD – Leighton C – Williams; WA – Love; GA – Ngubane; GS – Goodwin. Bench – Finn, Flett.

ROUND 8 FIXTURES & RESULTS

Friday – Loughborough Lightning 69-41 Cardiff Dragons

Friday – Team Bath 51-67 Leeds Rhinos

Sunday – Saracens Mavericks v Manchester Thunder

Sunday – Severn Stars v Surrey Storm