Sam Bird hailed London Pulse's superb 64-48 victory over Leeds Rhinos in the opening match of their 2023 Netball SuperLeague campaign in Nottingham as a 'great feeling'.

All 12 squad members were on show in front of a near-packed Motorpoint Arena as Stratford-based Pulse overturned a 15-12 deficit in a cagey opening quarter to dominate the other three quarters and seal a convincing 16-goal victory.

Player of the match Berri Neil registered a 100 per cent rate around the D as the recently turned 20-year-old scored 29 goals, while England internationals Jade Clarke and Chelsea Pitman both impressed on their debuts.

"It was big occasion for the girls and we're obviously expected to play well because of the standard of our roster," said Pulse CEO and head coach Bird, a former England international.

"I think we did well in terms of just discovering who can connect and how we can play.

"We weren't worried at all about that first quarter. We know we are a really fit squad.

"We've got players who can problem solve on court, that's why we left the seven the same for the second quarter and that was a massive quarter. Overall lots of confidence in the roster.

"It's lovely to win the opener and that's what it's all about. We're here to win, we're here to try to win the whole thing.

"To come here, perform well and get every squad member on, we've met some of our targets. We understand what we've got to go back and work on but it's a great feeling and great start for us.

"A lot of that flair and style that you saw in parts will come even more, but it's really going to be a really exciting team to watch."

There also a welcome return for Halimat Adio who was sidelined for 21 months with a lateral meniscus tear.

And the 25-year-old goal defence specialist revealed her feelings on the morning of her big return, adding: "Before I woke up I was shaking so much, but I'm happy to be back on court and the girls have been so supportive, which is lovely."

Pulse host Team Bath at the Copper Box Arena on Friday (7.30pm) in a repeat of last season's Grand Final bronze medal play-off.

The West Country outfit won 36-32 in June and will bid to kickstart their 2023 campaign after a heavy 86-52 loss to last season's NSL runners-up Loughborough Lightning in their league opener.

Former Barking Abbey pupil and current Newham & Essex Beagles AC club athlete Kadeen Corbin, whose sister Sasha plays for Saracens Mavericks and is also the cousin of Beagles sprinter and multi-international medalist Asha Philip, is expected to return to her London roots in Team Bath colours.

Tickets are available at londonpulsenetball.com or you can catch all the action on Sky Sports Mix.

The other opening round matches in Nottingham saw defending champions Manchester Thunder beat Celtic Dragons 68-42, Surrey Storm run out 68-56 winners over Strathclyde Sirens and Severn Stars edge past Saracens Mavericks 59-55.