THE new era in the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) is about to take off, with the 11 teams back on an even slate at the start of the 2022 season. As usual, the blockbuster two-day, 10-game bonanza of matches take place at Resorts World Area, where each team – with the exception of Leeds Rhinos and Surrey Storm – will face two opponents. We take a look at the rounds and how they might go down.

ROUND 1

Reigning champions Loughborough Lightning will kick-start their premiership defence off against London Pulse from midday local time. All eyes will be on new Lightning recruit Fran Williams who could form a remarkable defensive combination with Zanele Vimbela. They have a first-up assignment against a new-look attack, with ex-Vixen Sacha McDonald likely to team up with Olivia Tchine, though both Berri Neil and Kira Rothwell are options too. The Lightning have more of a stable side, but watch out for Tayla Honey up against Beth Cobden in a huge clash.

One of the tightest matches of the first day, Team Bath will lock horns with Strathclyde Sirens. The Bath midcourt should have the advantage with the likes of Serena Guthrie and Imogen Allison, but the Sirens shooting combination of Emma Barrie and Niamh McCall is a rising duo that will be ones to watch on the international stage. Claire Maxwell also returns for the Sirens to provide much needed experience, whilst Bath’s Sophie Drakeford-Lewis will be out for a big season in a Commonwealth Games year.

In one of the more likely one-sided games of the opening day, reigning runners-up Manchester Thunder will clash with last year’s wooden spooners Celtic Dragons. The Thunder have brought in two quality international players straight from the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) in Natalie Metcalf and Shadine Van der Merwe to add extra experience up either end. The inclusions of these talents should help the Thunder look to go one better, particularly with a Roses contingent already of Laura Malcolm and Eleanor Cardwell. The Dragons on the other hand have a new-look shooting circle with Georgia Rowe (Severn Stars) and Lefébre Rademan (London Pulse) likely to be looked upon for scores. Hannah Leighton enjoyed a nice international series with Scotland in December and showcased her versatility further up the court, and is another arrival to the Welsh side.

Wasps Netball will head into a massive clash against Saracens Mavericks minus defender Fran Williams who headed to the Lightning. They lost a fair chunk of experience over the off-season, but still have a strong core featuring shooter Rachel Dunn, as well as the likes of Iona Christian and Ella Powell-Davies. The Mavericks on the other hand have had barely any turnover, though will welcome in South African shooter Ine-Mari Venter. With a high-volume of young talent such as Razia Quashie and Gabriella Marshall coming through the ranks, the Mavericks will be difficult to beat again.

Two sides who will hope to put in better 2022 seasons after lower 2021 years, the Severn Stars lock horns with Surrey Storm. The Stars have overhauled their list, as Cathrine Tuivaiti returns to the court, to team up with fellow former Silver Fern, Liana Leota. With Summer Artman and Michelle Drayne among a host of inclusions, the Stars look good to be better this season, and a team to watch throughout the year. Surrey Storm welcomed a class shooter of their own in former SSN talent Peace Proscovia. She and Sophia Candappa are the two new arrivals with the side that formed a strong midcourt duo with Mikki Austin and Yasmin Parsons, and who could forget the debut season of training partner Sophie Kelly? This is set to be a close contest.

ROUND 2

In the second round of action, the teams mostly get another crack with team management crucial in the short turnaround. The Lightning face another challenger in Leeds Rhinos who play their first game of the round, as London Pulse and Team Bath’s clash seems to the pick of the bunch. Severn Stars will have a chance to challenge the Thunder, whilst the Wasps lock horns with the Sirens. Celtic Dragons have a tough start to the season, with the Mavericks next up in Round 2. Surrey Storm have the bye for Round 2.