ON the menu in World Netball this week includes an English top four match up, a much anticipated match up between former team mates in Australia, and an intriguing clash in New Zealand.
ANZ PREMIERSHIP
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Central Pulse vs WBOP Magic
Saturday at 4pm
TSB Arena, Wellington
The first fixture of the entire ANZ Premiership weekend is perhaps going to be the closest of the lot.
Last week the Pulse had a fairly small win over the Stars, while the Magic will be furious they let their round one match against the Mystics slip away from them, so they are sure to come out tomorrow hungry to avoid history repeating itself.
Despite the newness of their combination, the Magic’s first choice shooting pair of Saviour Tui and Ameliaranne Ekenasio showed last week how well they have gelled, and they will be looking to keep building on that this week.
However, they have the very in form Kelly Jackson to contend with this week, who in partnership with Parris Mason is not going to make life easy for the Magic’s shooters.
OTHER FIXTURES
Mainland Tactix vs. Northern Stars | Sunday, 4pm @ Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch
Southern Steel vs. Northern Mystics | Monday, 7:30pm @ ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill
NETBALL SUPERLEAGUE
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Manchester Thunder vs Severn Stars
Friday at 7:30pm
Belle Vue Arena
Another top four clash is sure to help get things off to an entertaining start in the Netball Superleague.
These two side come into tonight’s clash off very different results last week, and as such are in quite varying predicaments despite both being in the top four on the ladder.
The Stars in particular will be hoping tonight goes in their favour because although they are still two games clear of the chasing pack, the currently fifth placed Dragons are starting to show some signs of positive form, and so the Stars do not want that gap to close any tighter.
The Thunder’s midcourt is well known for a reason, with Natalie Metcalf, Amy Carter and Imogen Allison all world class athletes. That means the Stars’ midcourt of Jessica Shaw, Gabby Marshall and Niamh Cooper will have a lot on their plate trying to stop their influence.
OTHER FIXTURES
Loughborough Lightning vs. Saracens Mavericks | Friday @ Sir David Wallace Arena
Cardiff Dragons vs. Surrey Storm | Friday, 7pm @ House of Sport, Cardiff
Strathclyde Sirens vs. Leeds Rhinos | Friday, 7:30pm @ Sports Hall, Emirates
London Pulse vs Team Bath | Saturday, 7pm @ Copper Box Arena
SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL
MATCH OF THE ROUND
West Coast Fever vs Sunshine Coast Lightning
Sunday at 2pm
RAC Arena
Perhaps the two most impressive opening round winners are set to clash on Sunday as the Fever host the Lightning in Suncorp Super Netball.
The Fever showed they are still one of the teams to beat with a win over the GIANTS, while the Lightning showed the preseason hype was true with an impressive performance against the Swifts.
Coming into the clash, much of the talk has been around Courtney Bruce facing her old teammates, but Kadie-Ann Dehaney is in the exact same situation.
Watching Bruce face off against Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard is sure to be entertaining, while Dehaney and her aerial strength is also likely to get a good work out up against Cara Koenen.
OTHER FIXTURES
Queensland Firebirds vs. GIANTS Netball | Saturday, 5pm @ Nissan Arena
Melbourne Vixens vs. Adelaide Thunderbirds | Saturday, 7pm @ John Cain Arena
NSW Swifts vs Melbourne Mavericks | Sunday, 4pm @ Ken Rosewall Arena
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