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Netball Super League: Leeds Rhinos lodge appeal after scoring error denies victory

Leeds Rhinos Netball lodge appeal to Netball Super League after Joyce Mvula's two-point 'super shot' was only registered as one point in a controversial end to their match against Birmingham Panthers

Monday 5 May 2025 17:02, UK

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'Off The Court' examine the contentious closing period of the game between Leeds Rhinos and Birmingham Panthers that has led to an official appeal

Leeds Rhinos have lodged an appeal with the Netball Super League after the controversial conclusion to Sunday's game against Birmingham Panthers.

Rhinos believe goal shooter Joyce Mvula scored a two-point 'super shot' that would have levelled the contest at 59-59 with 30 seconds remaining.

Replays clearly show Mvula in the 'super shot' area when she released the ball but only one point was added to the score at the University of Birmingham Arena.

Rhinos then scored again from close rance for one point, which tied the game on the scoreboard at 59-59, though some Rhinos players believed it was to win the match in normal time. Birmingham would then go on to win 71-69 after extra-time.

Leeds Rhinos have since contested the full-time result in an appeal to the Netball Super League.

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A statement read: "Leeds Rhinos Netball have submitted an appeal to the Netball Super League committee to appeal the result of their round 8 fixture against Birmingham Panthers.

"The appeal is based on the circumstances in which the game ended in regular time.

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"We are awaiting a response from the competition committee."

Sky Sports News has approached the Netball Super League for comment.

Leeds Rhinos star Geva Mentor said the incident called the integrity of netball in the UK into question, while former Wales international and Sky Sports commentator Nia Jones said it was potentially the most controversial game in Netball Super League history.

"I said on air it was one of the craziest netball matches I've ever seen and, having watched it back, I stand by that," she told Sky Sports News.

"It had a huge impact on the overall outcome of the game and everybody can see now that Leeds Rhinos were the rightful winners.

"It is the most controversial game we've seen this season, maybe ever in the Netball Super League. It will be interesting to see what the league does about this."

Asked whether the Netball Super League could overturn the result, Jones added: "It would open a real can of worms. We haven't got any type of review process for decisions like this.

"For Geva Mentor to come out and question the integrity of sport in the UK, the Netball Super League and England Netball have to do something.

"No player should slog their hearts out for an hour and not the score at the end of the game."

Netball Super League - round eight results

  • Loughborough Lightning 65-53 Manchester Thunder
  • London Mavericks 72-61 Cardiff Dragons
  • Nottingham Forest Netball 69-59 London Pulse
  • Birmingham Panthers 71-69 Leeds Rhinos

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