A COUPLE of big wins completed Round 12 of the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) on Monday, with the Strathclyde Sirens and Team Bath picking up points. The Sirens took care of Leeds Rhinos by 16 goals at Allam Sports Centre, whilst Bath won in a huge 21-goal victory over London Pulse in front of home fans.

Strathclyde Sirens have leapfrogged Wasps Netball with a 16-goal victory over Leeds Rhinos. The hard work was done in the first half as the visitors opened up a 31-16 lead that proved too insurmountable for Leeds. Though the Rhinos were more competitive in the second half, the Sirens still added an extra goal to the margin, to come away with the 60-44 win.

Wing attack Bethany Dix earned Player of the Match honours for 18 feeds, one intercept and one turnover, feeding it through to the goalers. Niamh McCall put up 29 goals from 31 attempts for the Scottish side, also having eight feeds through to Bethan Goodwin (26 rom 32) and Emma Barrie (five from 11). Gia Abernethy (26 feeds was also strong in centre, whilst Towera Vinkhumbo managed two intercepts, three deflections and one rebound.

Vicki Oyesola tried hard in defence for the Rhinos with four deflections, a rebound, an intercept and two turnovers, whilst Rebekah Airey and Tuaine Keenan had to work overtime in goal keeper. Sigrid Burger scored 34 goals from 36 attempts, as Amelia Hall had a game-high 16 feeds, working well with Brie Tyler Grierson (eight goals from nine attempts and 13 feeds).

Strathclyde Sirens take on top of the table Manchester Thunder in Round 13, whilst Leeds Rhinos lock horns with bottom two side Celtic Dragons in their next match.

Team Bath moved with three points of a top four spot after knocking off third placed London Pulse by 21 goals in an impressive effort. The blue and gold side burst out of the blocks in front of home fans to score 16 goals to eight, before the Pulse reduced the deficit to six by the main break. Back on top in the second half, Bath never gave their opponents a chance, scoring 36 goals to 21, and blowing out the final margin to 21, with a 62-41 scoreline.

Layla Guscoth was ridiculous at goal defence, picking up a massive six intercepts, six deflections, six turnovers and one rebound, teaming up perfectly with Phumza Maweni (four intercepts, two deflections, four turnovers and one rebound) to shut down the famed Pulse attack. Sophie Drakeford-Lewis (18 goals from 19 attempts, 15 feeds, four intercepts, two deflections, four turnovers and a rebound) did everything from goal attack in an equally remarkable performance. Kim Borger (44 goals from 45 attempts, one rebound and one intercept) and Kirsty Harris (19 feeds, one intercept, one deflection and one turnover) were also among the best in a team effort.

Zara Everitt had five intercepts, five turnovers and three deflections for the Pulse, but also a massive 24 penalties trying to disrupt the opposition. Olivia Tchine scored 29 goals from 31 attempts, with Sacha McDonald (12 goals from 14 attempts and 15 feeds) and Ashleigh Dekker (17 feeds, two deflections) also trying hard throughout the contest.

Team Bath has a rest next Saturday before locking horns with Leeds Rhinos on Sunday, whilst London Pulse will take on Wasps in Round 13.