2023 NSL | Round 5 preview: Quarter of a season down, still no answers
THIS weekend marks a quarter-way post of the 2023 Netball Super League (NSL) season, and while the campaign may be 25 per cent completed after this weekend, there is still so much to play out.
For one thing, not everyone has played the same number of games up until this point, so it is difficult to get a true read on proceedings.
Nonetheless, Round 5 is set to keep fans right across the competition entertained.
Tomorrow night the action kicks off with a fascinating top four battle between Manchester Thunder and Loughborough Lightning.
For once it is the Lightning who come in with the better win/loss record, and despite suffering that one loss, the Thunder have proven they’re still going to be tough team to beat this season after they downed the previously undefeated Pulse last week.
Moving into Saturday’s action, and seventh takes on eighth as Saracens Mavericks and Celtic Dragons battle it out in North London.
Both sides only have one victory on the board thus far this season, so will see this game as a winnable one, and one that could really catapult their season.
At the same time in Glasgow, the Sirens and Rhinos will also both be looking to kickstart their seasons when they battle it out.
Saturday night sees another top four battle with the Pulse hosting the Storm.
The Storm are currently top of the ladder, but the Pulse are at home and will be keen to bounce back quickly after they were beaten by the Thunder last week.
Heading west for the final match of the weekend, and it is the Severn Stars taking on Team Bath.
This may be a more interesting battle than the ladder positions may suggest, because Severn are coming off a second win for the season (after going winless last season) while Bath are coming off their first win of the 2023 season, so both sides will be keen to continue that momentum.
Round 5 Netball Super League Fixture
March 3 – 7:30pm – Manchester Thunder vs Loughborough Lightning – Belle Vue Arena
March 4 – 2pm – Saracens Mavericks vs Celtic Dragons – Hertfordshire Sports Village
March 4 – 2pm – Strathclyde Sirens vs Leeds Rhinos – Sports Hall, Emirates
March 4 – 6pm – London Pulse vs Surrey Storm – Copper Box Arena
March 4 – 7pm – Severn Stars vs Team Bath – University of Worcester Arena
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