THE opening rounds of the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) saw plenty of close contests and impressive performances from individuals making the task for Draft Central to create a Team of the Week tricky. But consecutive victories to the likes of Team Bath and Saracens Mavericks saw them secure a couple players in the side while new franchise Leeds Rhinos also had standout performers.

VNSL Team of the Week: Round 1/2

GS: Mary Cholhok (Loughborough Lightning)
GA: Sophie Drakeford-Lewis (Team Bath)
WA: Laura Malcolm (Manchester Thunder)
C: Serena Guthrie (Team Bath)
WD: Beth Cobden (Loughborough Lightning)
GD: Fran Williams (Wasps Netball)
GK: Razia Quashie (Saracens Mavericks)

BENCH: Donnell Wallam (Leeds Rhinos), Sasha Corbin (Saracens Mavericks), Vicki Oyesola (Leeds Rhinos)

Starting off in the goal circle, it is hard to go past sharp shooter Mary Cholhok with the Loughborough Lightning goal shooter starring under the post with her silky movement and accuracy to post. Constantly commanding the ball Cholhok was an easy selection for this round’s Team of the Week given her proficiency and sheer netball nous to slot 74 goals at 94 per cent. The goaler also secured Player of the Match honours for her 39 goal performance against Wasps. In at goal attack is 22-year-old Sophie Drakeford-Lewis with the Team Bath shooter able to impact the play with her nifty footwork, cuts and drives in the attacking third and accuracy to post. Drakeford-Lewis is a smooth mover that can flick the ball around with great ease to re-position in the attacking third and under the post to edge closer to the ring.

Headlining the midcourt is none other than Serena Guthrie with the centre an excitement machine for Team Bath. Boasting nothing but athleticism, class and tenacity, Guthrie is one of those players that can turn a game on its head within an instant and use her netball smarts to exploit her opponents picking up intercepts and deflections over the course of the weekend. Joining her in the midcourt is Laura Malcolm with the highly versatile centre court player able to win back her fair share of ball thanks to her three intercepts while also assisting with through court transition using her zippy footwork to dart around circle edge. Beth Cobden impressed for Lightning willing her side over the line with her constant pressure, quick footwork and hands over pressure to stop the opposition in her tracks.

Looking down at the defensive unit, Saracens Mavericks,’ Razia Quashie takes out the goal keeper position thanks to her overall dominance across the two rounds. Bodying up against her opponent and using her physicality to win ball back Quashie showcased her netball nous to control the airwaves down back collecting six intercepts and eight deflections. The goal defence bib falls to Fran Williams with the Wasps defender displaying her hunt and tenacity to pickoff passes credit to her eight intercepts. A wall in defence, Williams utilised her long arms and change of direction to shut down the space of her opponents and wreak havoc down back to keep the Wasps in the hunt.

In her first VNSL appearance Donnell Wallam took like a duck to water starring under the post with her strong holds and height to reel in countless passes. Wallam showcased plenty of class and composure to withstand the pressure and dominate under the post for the Rhinos sinking 64 goals. Teammate Vicki Oyesola was also unlucky not to get the nod in the starting defensive position after amassing five intercepts and six deflections testament to her cleanliness and hunt. The final bench position goes to experienced midcourter Sasha Corbin with the centre/wing attack providing a steady head to create multiple attacking forays. With an aura of composure and impressive timing, Corbin dictated the flow releasing the ball with great ease into the circle.