AFTER a huge week of netball in the UK, we look back at the three-match Netball Legends Series between the England Roses and Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) All Stars and which players really stepped up to the task.

Roses take out first win of Netball Legends Series

Roses too strong in game two of Netball Legends Series

Roses complete clean sweep of VNSL All Stars in Legends Series

Saracens Mavericks and England Roses defender Razia Quashie may still be developing her craft, but there is no doubt the 23-year-old is on the rise and impressing down back in goal keeper. Awarded most valuable player in the Netball Legends Series in two of the three games against her VNSL peers, Quashie has proved to be a dominant defender in her own right, able to consistently provide a powerful buffer as the last line of defence, and with further exposure to international level, is sure to develop into a huge threat for the Roses. But Quashie was not the only Rose to impress in the red dress during the series, with Roses co-captain and NSW Swifts import Nat Haythornthwaite awarded player of the series. The fleet-footed wing attack is a crucial member of the England lineup, able to quickly and carefully move the ball down court and find purchase on circle edge. The attacker’s quick footwork allows her to navigate down court with ease, dodging defenders as she does so, while her nimble fingers and great vision allow her to present ball into the goal circle with ease. Ellie Cardwell proved once more why she can be a huge threat to have on-side, with the goal shooter consistent as ever at the post, putting up countless goals and setting up space for her teammates, while Serena Guthrie was consistent as ever running through the midcourt and wreaking havoc.

When it came to the All Stars squad, there is no doubt that captain Liana Leota had the desired impact out in wing attack, with the veteran New Zealander proving crucial to the lineup credit to her livewire playing style, flair and ability to find entries into the goal circle. The attacker was a constant threat and could not be left to her own devices, creating space and movement out the front and just as quick to transition to defence and hold up the ball heading down the court. Assisting Leota through the midcourt was another veteran in Caroline O’Hanlon, with the Northern Ireland centre matching Guthrie for stamina and guts, consistently forcing errant passes and using her endurance and netball nous to outsmart the young opposition in the Roses. Joyce Mvula was a force to be reckoned with out the front, with her ability to hold ground and use her strength to reel in ball left, right and centre, while defensively the likes of Jo Trip and Sam May put in the hard yards with their excellent hands over pressure and ability to track the ball with ease.