AFTER Round 9 of the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) there were a number of players that remained the same when it came to leading their statistical areas. Some impressive performances from players saw them rise up the standings, while byes allowed other players to overtake consistent figures.

Goals:

Another dominant performance from Mary Cholhok saw her extend her lead atop of the ladder with 336 goals to her name. she added 41 of those goals to her tally this round credit to her sheer class and strength under the post to ward off defenders and score. Joyce Mvula also had a round to remember impressing in both games and leading her side to victory with a combined 70-plus goal performance to sit on 268 goals for the season. Kim Borger was somewhat down on her lofty standards for Team Bath in Round but still remains in third spot with 231 goals just edging out stalwart and veteran Rachel Dunn. The Wasps goal shooter was strong at the post nailing 27 goals for the season to make it 230 goals while the final top five spot goes to Sienna Rushton with the Leeds Rhinos goaler despite them not playing this week.

Shooting accuracy:

When it comes to shooting accuracy, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis is the player to beat with the highly talented and zippy goal attack able to not only light up the court but hit the scoreboard with great accuracy sitting at 95 per cent. She has only missed nine goals in her nine appearances while partner in crime Borger is hot on her tail converting at 94 per cent accuracy thanks to her 231 goals from 245 attempts. Georgia Rowe has been a steady head for the Severn Stars registering a 94 per cent accuracy while Mvula has impressed for Manchester Thunder with her 92 per cent conversion rate – albeit majority of her goals coming from under the post.

Intercepts:

Towera Vinkhumbo still holds the mantle for most intercepts in the league boasting 31 to her name for the Strathclyde Sirens while Saracens Mavericks goal keeper Razia Quashie has 27. Unfortunately Quashie went down with a suspected ankle injury in her clash on the weekend and is likely to miss a chunk of time. Halimat Adio seemed to have the ball on a string across both her performances for the London Pulse picking up three intercepts, credit to her sticky hands and read of the play. Team Bath defender, Layla Guscoth had another solid outing despite not getting the win for her side taking her intercept  tally to 21. The final player in the top five is Lucy Herdman with the Severn Stars defender sitting on 20 intercepts for the season.

Deflections:

Looking at deflections and it is Manchester Thunder defender, Kerry Almond that leads the way with her quick footwork and long ranging arms allowing her to continuously get hands to ball and create deflections amassing 10 over her two games to sit at 41. Equal on 41 deflections is Funmi Fadoju who continued her dominant ways for the Pulse with seven. Teammate, Adio was also strong down back as she reached 35 deflections for the season while Herdman took her tally to 30. Surrey Storm did not take the court this round, but Leah Middleton’s efforts still see her inside the top five but just as she sits on 30 for the season.