2023 NSL | Round 6 preview: No more undefeated sides, game on
IT is time for another exciting round of NSL action, and after last weekend’s at times chaotic set of results, it has thrown up another set of questions about where this season is going.
With several sides losing for the first time last time out, the competition has begun to even out. Even though there is still a significant gap between the top half of the table and the bottom half, the battles within those halves have gotten tighter and less predictable.
Unfortunately for those in the bottom half of the table, that bridge between them and the top end is unlikely to get any shorter this weekend.
The menu of matches on offer this weekend is a little smaller than usual, with only three games set to be played, but all three see top four teams taking on bottom four counterparts.
Tonight, the weekend’s action kicks off with Bath taking on Surrey in Bath. Surrey’s goal difference is over 100 goals better than Bath’s, so the Bath defenders are going to have their hands full.
It is also a homecoming of sorts for Sophie Drakeford-Lewis and Layla Guscoth, with the pair set to play their old side for the first time this season.
Next up on Sunday it is off to Leeds where the Rhinos take on the Thunder.
The Rhinos are still yet to win a game this season while the Thunder are looking as strong as ever, so this will be one almighty challenge for the home side. Caroline O’Hanlon and Millie Sanders are another pair who will meet their old side for the first time this season.
The final match of the weekend sees the Sirens head down to the English capital to take on the Pulse.
After not being able to overcome the to date winless Rhinos last week, the Sirens will be hungry to improve this week against a Pulse side who are having a great start to the 2023 season.
With only three games on this weekend, that means four sides get a break this weekend. The Mavericks, Lightning, Dragons and Stars all get the weekend off to regroup and come back refreshed for the next part of the season.
NSL Round 6 Fixture (all times local)
Friday 10 March – 7:30pm – Team Bath vs Surrey Storm – Team Bath Netball Arena
Sunday March 12 – 3pm – Leeds Rhinos vs Manchester Thunder – Leeds Beckett University
Monday March 13 – 7pm – London Pulse vs Strathclyde Sirens – Copper Box Arena
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