PREVIEW | NSL Round 4 – Time to snap some streaks
IT is already the one month mark of the 2024 Netball Super League, and things are only continuing to ramp up further.
- Team
Severn Stars
Manchester Thunder
Friday at 7:30pm GMT
University of Worcester Arena
The weekend kicks off with what is arguably the match of the round, with the last two undefeated sides in the competition set to battle it out. These two sides are also the top two for scoring and bottom two for goals conceded so far this season, so it is sure to be a tight and entertaining battle.
As much has the Stars defenders Ella Powell-Davies, Jo Trip and Jasmine Brown have had an excellent start to the season, they will not be able to rest for too long tomorrow night as Natalie Metcalf, Amy Carter and Imogen Allison are going to make sure the Thunder shooters are well fed.
- Team
Team Bath
London Pulse
Friday at 7:30pm GMT
Team Bath Arena
There is more than one match happening tomorrow night, and it is between two teams coming off very different Round 3 results.
The Pulse will be looking to continue their momentum from last week, while Bath will be desperate to snap the losing run they are currently on.
Jayda Pechova has been one of Bath’s most impressive players so far this season, but she and Tash Pavelin will have a tough task this week, trying to keep star duo Olivia Tchine and Berri Neil quiet.
- Team
Leeds Rhinos
Strathclyde Sirens
Saturday at 3pm GMT
University of Huddersfield
Saturday’s early game is absolutely crucial for both teams involved. Whoever wins this clash will get their first win of 2024, and can really get their season going.
These two teams are also the two lowest scoring sides of the competition so far this season, so this may be the perfect match for the sides to get their shooting numbers boosted.
Caroline O’Hanlon has been recording some big feeds numbers so far this season and is one of those players that just does not stop working all game, and will be someone for the Sirens to keep an eye on. However, the Sirens do have a secret weapon with former Rhino Millie Sanders now in their side.
- Team
Surrey Storm
Cardiff Dragons
Saturday at 6pm GMT
Surrey Sports Park
On paper this clash is a particularly intriguing one.
Both sides picked up their first wins for 2024 last week, and will be looking to maintain that momentum this week and pick up another win. The Dragons in particular have been really inconsistent so far this season, so will want to develop a pattern of consistency in their season soon.
The Dragons’ defence line has been one of the most impressive aspects of the Dragons’ season thus far, and so the fact that Sophie Drakeford-Lewis and Proscovia Peace have to deal with Jacqui Newton and Leah Middleton this week in a week where they are looking to build their partnership back up is a daunting task for those in blue.
- Team
Saracens Mavericks
Loughborough Lightning
Sunday at 4pm GMT
Hertfordshire Sports Village
This is also an intriguing clash, between a pair of sides that suffered their first losses of the season last week and will not want to make it two in a row this week.
The Lightning have been one of the highest scoring teams this year, while the Mavericks have been one of the lowest, so the Mavericks will need to find a way to counter that.
One player that will be interesting to watch in this match is Vicki Oyesola. She has been playing a lot of goal defence so far this season, but what is the possibility that she will be moved back to keeper to counter the influence of Mary Cholhok?