THE grand final rematch is set to headline Round 1 of the Vitality Netball Superleague with Manchester Thunder and Wasps Netball facing off in game one with last year’s third and fourth place Team Bath and Loughborough set to do battle closely after. Birmingham Arena will play host to all five matches over the course of the weekend.

Manchester Thunder v. Wasps Netball
Arena Birmingham

It will be a mouth-watering contest between the two sides who retained the majority of their all-stars over the off-season. With the grand final loss etched in their memories, expect the Wasps to come out with a real vengeance having been pipped at the post not too long ago. Led by the likes of Rachel Dunn at the post, the Wasps have a plethora of stars that can cause damage and will want to gain early bragging rights over their new enemy.  But the reigning premiers have just as an impressive list with Eleanor Cardwell coming along in leaps and bounds while youngsters Amy Carter and Laura Malcolm still have plenty to offer. The potential match-up between Caroline O’Hanlon and Jade Clarke will be something to savour with the two able to go toe-to-toe for a full four quarters given their high endurance, netball nous and experience. Joyce Mvula proved to be near on unstoppable under the post last season and could quite as easily pose a dominate threat once again for the Thunder with her strong holds and accuracy to post. Given Mvula is such a demanding target Roses defender Fran Williams along with Hannah Leighton and Hannah Knights will have their work cut out for them in trying to quell her influence.

Team Bath v. Loughborough Lightning
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After falling just short of the big dance, both the Lightning and Team Bath will be hoping to kick their 2020 off with a bang and announce themselves as grand final contenders. Team Bath have lost a valuable player in Serena Guthrie with the highly athletic and talented midcourter stepping away, allowing the likes of Imogen Allison and new comer South African Khanyisa Chawane to step up in her absence. Goal shooter Kim Commane was a key cog in attack given her scoring prowess, strong body positioning and nifty footwork while the development of Sophie Drakeford-Lewis could give them that extra edge against the Lightning. The battle in the goal circle between Ugandan shooter Mary Cholhok and Eboni Usoro-Brown will provide plenty of entertainment with the two renowned for their physicality. Usoro-Brown just recently announced her pregnancy and may be an uncertainty for the match but if she does play expect the tenacious defender to leave no stone unturned. For the Lightning defender Vicki Oyesola will have to be on her a-game to worry Bath while through the midcourt Nat Panagarry will be hoping to have a profound impact with her defensive nature.

Saracens Mavericks v. Severn Stars
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Both sides had a relatively inconsistent 2019 and will be aiming to get a quick win on the board. The Mavericks have a very strong core group of players that when on song can cause all sorts of damage given both their defensive and attacking attributes while the Stars recruited some handy new players that could ruffle their oppositions feathers.  In the goal circle alone the Mavs have a wealth of stars with George Fisher becoming a commanding presence with her height and strength on the take while her partnership with the experienced Kadeen Corbin makes the duo a deadly combination for the Stars. Sister, Sasha Corbin is just as electrifying through the midcourt with her change of pace and clean hands while down in defence Razia Quashie is a force to be reckoned with, thanks to her physical pressure and intercepting ability. Georgia Rowe will have to stand up under the pressure of Quashie if the Stars are to generate any real scoring. The Stars will also be hoping that the likes Ama Agbeze kicks off her campaign in style with her tenacious mindset pairing with the likes of Nia Jones and Ella Powell-Davies down back to block any easy avenue into goal.

Celtic Dragons v. Surrey Storm
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It will be an interesting contest between the Dragons and Storm given their up and down 2019 season but will be hoping that all changes this year. The Dragons have bolstered their defence this season with new recruit Latanya Wilson set to join the ranks and use her long reach and deceptive speed to full effect in her debut game. Her partner in crime Dee Bolakoro is as strong as they come making the two an ominous threat for opposition sides. They have a relatively inexperienced midcourt an area the Storm will be hoping to exploit, headlined by the likes of player/coach Mikki Austin. Karryn Bailey is a smooth mover in the goal circle with accuracy and volume two key aspects of her game making her the most obvious choice to goal for the Storm. Former Firebirds defender, Leah Middleton will be hoping to leave a lasting impact in her potential first game.

Strathclyde Sirens v. London Pulse
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With both sides finishing in the bottom two at the end of last season, they will be aiming to turn things around in 2020 and build some strong form early with a convincing win here. It will be a battle of the goal shooters with Emma Barrie and Sigi Burger both looking to do damage under the post with their height, strong holds and clever footwork The Pulse are only in their second year and will be hoping that their connections across court have strengthened with the likes of SPAR Protea, Burger making the jump. Burger will have to have a strong performance under the post if she is any chance to get her side over the line in her debut game for the Pulse. Adean Thomas will be in the same boat with the midcourter hoping to make a splash in her new colours while Michelle Drayne has proven to be a steady head in attack for the Pulse. The Sirens have a wealth of options in the goal circle with Lynsey Gallagher and Bethan Goodwin able to chip in on the scoreboard to relieve young shooter, Barrie. Through the midcourt expect Gia Abernethy to have a big game in her first match as captain making for an exciting battle.