THIS weekend sees an emotional final round in the UK, while in the southern hemisphere things are really starting to heat up into the back end of the seasons.

ANZ PREMIERSHIP

MATCH OF THE ROUND

Mainland Tactix vs. Central Pulse  
Sunday at 4pm
Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch

This weekend’s middle game in New Zealand should be an absolute cracker.

It sees a top two clash in Christchurch as the Tactix host the Pulse.

There is very little splitting these two on the ladder (0.9% to be exact) so winning this match could be very influential on both the ladder and the rest of the season.

Last time these two sides met it was the Pulse who emerged victorious, and it was the only match that the Tactix have lost to date this season.

In an interestingly low scoring match, the Pulse ultimately won each quarter to take the win, restricting the Tactix to single digit goal figures for each quarter.

The Pulse however have had a number of injuries since that game so will be a very different side for the Tactix to face this weekend.

However Martina Salmon and Tiana Metuarau have slotted in seamlessly to the Pulse line up, and will be looking to have another strong game this weekend. They will have a tough time though, with Karin Burger and Jane Watson standing in their way this week.

OTHER FIXTURES

Northern Mystics vs. Northern Stars | Saturday, 4pm @ The Trusts Arena, Auckland
WBOP Magic vs. Southern Steel | Monday, 7:30pm @ Globox Arena, Hamilton

NETBALL SUPERLEAGUE

MATCH OF THE ROUND

Loughborough Lightning vs. Severn Stars
Saturday at 6pm
Sir David Wallace Arena

It is going to be a jam packed final day of the NSL regular season, with all five matches kicking off at the exact same time.

The pick of these clashes is the only top four matchup, as the Lightning host the Stars.

Both of these sides have already booked their spot in the finals, and while it is all about finals preparation now for the Stars, the Lightning can still host their semi final next week so still have something to play for even in this last round.

Last time these two sides met was back in Round 9, and it saw the Lightning comfortably win by 16 goals off the back of a particularly strong third quarter.

Mary Cholhok is a huge weapon for the Lightning and will have to be kept quiet in order to overpower the Lightning. Her partnership with Rhea Dixon has also flourished this season, so Jo Trip and Jasmine Brown will have a really important job this weekend.

OTHER FIXTURES

Saracens Mavericks vs. London Pulse | Saturday, 6pm @ Hertfordshire Sports Village
Strathclyde Sirens vs. Surrey Storm | Saturday, 6pm @ Sports Hall, Emirates
Cardiff Dragons vs. Team Bath | Saturday, 6pm @ Utilita Arena, Cardiff
Leeds Rhinos vs. Manchester Thunder | Saturday, 6pm @ Allam Sports Centre, Hull

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL

MATCH OF THE ROUND

Sunshine Coast Lightning vs. Melbourne Vixens
Saturday at 7pm
UniSC Arena

After a chaotic 24 hours or so in Australian netball, there will certainly be plenty of emotion in this weekend’s fixtures.

One clash that has the potential to be particularly intriguing is the reverse fixture from earlier this season between the Lightning and the Vixens.

The first time these sides met this season saw a very impressive performance from the Lightning, who handed the Vixens their one and only loss so far this season.

One factor that was particularly telling in that clash in Melbourne was the start of every quarter, which was really strong from the Lightning and put the Vixens on such a back foot they could not really recover from.

There will be Diamonds everywhere on the court, so it is sure to be a match of high quality.

Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin played massive parts in helping keep the Vixens in the game last time, so Courtney Bruce and Ash Ervin will be looking to make sure that does not happen again.

OTHER FIXTURES

GIANTS Netball vs. Adelaide Thunderbirds | Saturday, 5pm @ Ken Rosewall Arena
Melbourne Mavericks vs. Queensland Firebirds | Sunday, 2pm @ John Cain Arena
West Coast Fever vs. NSW Swifts | Sunday, 4pm @ RAC Arena

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL RESERVES

FIXTURES

Saturday

GIANTS v Thunderbirds – Post the SSN match at Ken Rosewall Arena
Lightning v Vixens – 3:45pm at UniSC Arena

Sunday

Firebirds v Vixens – 11:30am at Nissan Arena
Fever v Swifts – 5.30pm at Gold Netball Centre