A HUGE Saturday of Fast5 action saw Team Bath claim the 2021 Fast5 Netball All-Stars trophy after an exciting and eventful day of events at the Copper Box Arena in London. With 13 matches of modified netball played out over the course of just five hours, the non-stop action brought plenty of highlights and unexpected results. While eight Vitality Netball Superleague franchises fought hard for the title, only one would come away with the win.

Match 1: Loughborough Lightning (18) def by Strathclyde Sirens (28)

It was an intriguing clash between the Lightning and Sirens to start proceedings, with the reigning champions, Lightning first to score and first to use their power play. But inaccuracy proved to be an issue with the Sirens whittling down the clock during the Lightning’s power play, denying opportunities to use their advantage as they downed the defending champions by 10 points. Niamh McCall and Emma Barrie had their eye in for the Sirens while Ella Clark was the Lightning’s go-to girl, but it was the Sirens’ clean defence and composure during the power play that got them over the line.

Match 2: Saracens Mavericks (33) def by Wasps Netball (48)

The second match was a high-scoring contest saw the Mavericks get the early ascendancy before the Wasps switched on, but the early lead did not matter with Rachel Dunn wreaking havoc from all areas. The long-bomb specialist was undeniable and forced the Mavericks onto the back foot in defence, and even the excellent connection between Sasha Corbin and Kadeen Corbin did not phase the Wasps in the slightest. Three 10-pointers in a row saw Dunn lead the Wasps to an excellent victory, and a competitive goal-for-goal finish was not enough to get the Mavs on the board.

Match 3: Manchester Thunder (43) def Leeds Rhinos (15)

The Rhinos headed into the event undermanned, and it was clear from the get-go in this encounter that despite their late additions, the missing goalers could not be replaced. Ellie Cardwell was a force to be reckoned with while the Thunder defence stemmed the flow completely at the other end, not allowing the Rhinos to score within the first five minutes and wasting their power play in the process. While the Rhino’s defensive pressure through the midcourt was more than solid, it was not enough to really test the Thunder who reigned supreme with ease.

Match 4: Team Bath (27) def London Pulse (26)

Arguably the closest match of the day so far played out between Bath and Pulse to close the group stage, with Bath just pipping Pulse at the post – literally – on the final buzzer. It was a defensive masterclass from both sides, forcing inaccuracy from range as Pulse’s Funmi Fadoju showcased her excellent read of the play and Bath defender Layla Guscoth‘s pressure over the shot proved deadly. Despite inaccuracy, Pulse’s Paige Reed showed off her long range chops as her VNSL teammate Lucy Herdman did the same for Bath, with her single shot on the siren winning Bath the match. 

Match 5: Winner 1 – Sirens (28) def by Winner 2 – Wasps (35)
Winner advances to semi-final 2

The match between the first two winners of the day was a tight one, with no goals scored for either team during the first minute credit to the great defensive pressure. It was a fairly even contest with both sides being made to work for their chance at goal, with the Sirens first to pull up the power play but wasting it as the Wasps used the clock to their advantage. The combination of Dunn and Gezelle Allison proved deadly with the two long-bomb specialists making their chances count, but defensive pressure from the Sirens did not make it easy on them.

Match 6: Winner 3 – Thunder (36) def Winner 4 – Bath (16)
Winner advances to semi-final 1

The Thunder did not seem phased coming into their second match of the day, starting strong and continuing that way with a 23-0 start. A 10-pointer off the back of their early power play worked in the Thunder’s favour as they led the way against Bath, who trailed 1-31 by the time their own power play came around. Inaccuracy proved to be an issue for the blue and gold side, struggling to score or rebound their own chances, and while a Herdman 10-pointer assisted in their cause, it was a match Bath would rather forget.

Match 7: Loser Match 1 – Lightning (30) def by Loser Match 2 – Mavericks (51)

It was a battle of the threes early between Lightning and Mavericks, as both Kadeen Corbin and Clark pulled the trigger from range to start strong. While the reigning champions called their power play early in hope to get off to a strong start, the Mavericks switched on instead and worked hard to deny Lightning a chance to score. It was the Corbin show as the goaler turned the heat up during the Mavericks power play, wreaking havoc with multiple 10-pointers and showcasing her confidence from range to lead the Mavs to victory over the defending champions.

Match 8: Loser Match 3 – Rhinos (2) def by Loser Match 4 – Pulse (21)

It was another disappointing outing for the Rhinos as they were well and truly run down by the Pulse. But whilst it was the Pulse that ultimately got the last laugh, it was purely greater accuracy overall that got them over the line in this clash with the Rhinos putting up a strong defensive performance and showed what they are capable of in transition. Overall, the Pulse did a great job utilising the Rhinos’ missed opportunities and rebounds off the back of Fadoju’s winning ways, running away with a solid outcome.

Match 9: Loser Match 5 – Sirens (17) def by Winner Match 7 – Mavericks (20)
Winner advances to semi-final 1

Another really tight game graced the court as the Sirens and Mavericks both fought valiantly for a chance in the semi-finals, with the Mavericks’ attacking prowess proving to be the match-winner. Mavericks goaler Chloe Essam had a strong start as the Sirens struggled to make a dint on the scoreboard credit to the huge effort of the Mavs defence. Corbin was unable to have her same impact to post though, with Sirens newcomer Abby Tyrrell blocking vision and drives alike. Bodies were on the line in a hard-fought final minute, with the Mavs just retaining possession to deny a late Sirens chance.

Match 10: Loser Match 6 – Bath (23) vs. Winner Match 8 – Pulse (17)
Winner advances to semi-final 2

A second match between Bath and Pulse was always set to be an enticing contest, with everything on the line in this encounter. Fadoju once again starred in defence for Pulse as Reed piled on the six-pointers during the power play, but Bath learned from their loss and utilised their late power play to put up a late 10-pointer to pull ahead after trailing by seven. Ellie Rattu and Ashleigh Dekker made life hard for Bath but it was not enough, as the Imogen Allison-led side charged away with another lucky win, building back some confidence ahead of the finals stage.

Match 11: Winner Match 6 – Thunder (11) def by Winner Match 9 – Mavericks (27)

While the Thunder looked like one of the leading sides all day, their luck seemed to run out in the first semi-final as they were well and truly run down by the Mavs. The Jodie Gibson and Jameela McCarthy combination had been steadily growing strong all day and became especially notable against the Thunder, piling on the pressure and denying Cardwell long-range opportunities. While the Mav did not take advantage of their golden buzzer to its full potential, it was still enough to smother the Thunder and head into the final.

Match 12: Winner Match 5 – Wasps (28) def by Winner Match 10 – Bath (29)

It was another tight clash that led to a stressful end,but once again it was Team Bath that came away with a one-point win in a well-matched battle against the Wasps. A goal-for-goal start was exactly what the doctor ordered but everything seemed to fall apart once the power plays set in, with the two defensive units leading the charge and finding plenty of opportunities to propel ball up the court. A Dunn five-pointer with just over a minute on the clock drew the two sides even, but a Herdman goal as the siren sounded earned Bath the tough win.

Match 13: Final – Bath (23) def Mavericks (17)

A huge final played out between Team Bath and Saracens Mavericks, with both squads ultimately playing the better tactical games to make it to the final match. While both teams were disciplined and dogged in defence and reliable out the front, it was fatigue that once again became the deciding factor in a low-scoring clash. A 3-6 first half showcased just how tight the defence was, as Bath’s power play gave them confidence to run home. Tash Pavelin’s endurance was a deciding factor helping Guscoth to shut down Corbin, and while a Mavericks fiver with 90 seconds on the clock gave the Mavs another push, it was Bath that kept their noses in front to claim the six-goal win. 

Picture credit: Fast5 All-Stars