ROUND three was another game changer for the 2019 Vitality Netball Superleague, with its fair share of shock results as teams begin to settle into their ladder movements. Northern Quad Series hero, Rachel Dunn played her 200th domestic match in the VNSL, while international players starred throughout following a big Quad Series last weekend.

Round three opened with the Saracens Mavericks taking on Loughborough Lightning at Hertfordshire Sports Village on Friday evening. Lightning’s slow start to the 2019 season continued, coming out second best against the Mavericks, 64 – 51, and dropping to ninth on the ladder. Mavericks goal shooter, George Fisher and player of the match, Georgia Lees put on a clinic around the circle, rendering the Lightning defenders unable to stop feeding efficiency. Despite some skilful intensity from Lightning midcourter and captain, Natalie Panagarry, Mavericks had the momentum and hunger to control the game and take home the three points. With back to back wins on the board the Mavericks are sitting comfortable in third, but will want to capitalise on their successful round three ahead of their round four match against fourth-placed Celtic Dragons.

The Severn Stars hosted Celtic Dragons on Friday evening, with Stars fans coming out in full force to sell out University of Gloucestershire Sports Arena in the hope of achieving their first win of 2019. The Stars put in the hard yards to pull away from the Dragons to finish 57 – 40 and finally get their first win of the season. Stars captain, Maryka Holtzhausen took the court for the first time in 2019, having been away for South Africa Spar Proteas duties ahead of the Northern Quad Series. Stars fans relished input from their missing captain, with the side coming out second best in the opening rounds by tight margins. An even first quarter looked to be a good sign for the Dragons, however an 80 per cent shooting accuracy let down the visitors as the Stars defenders limited circle opportunities and extended their lead ready for a strong second half. Stars shooter Georgia Rowe was a force to be reckoned with in the circle despite tough defence by the Dragons, while Jamaican and player of the match, Jodi-Ann Ward set the tone for the match with four intercepts in the opening five minutes.

Saturday evening began with Manchester Thunder taking on the Strathclyde Sirens on home soil at Belle Vue. Manchester had an extended break between matches, having missed out on taking the court in round two, however came into the match without skipping a beat. Thunder came away with a convincing win on their home court, beating the suffering Sirens 70 – 45 and cementing the side as a team to be reckoned with. The Sirens could not compete with Thunder’s ball movement down court, struggling to keep up with the speed of play early in the match. Malawi import Joyce Mvula was outstanding for the Thunder, keeping Sirens defender Ella Gibbons at bay in the circle and allowing feeding options to open up in the goal third. The Sirens seemed unable to settle, and despite patches of effective ball movement the side struggled to find an opening through a tough midcourt passage and strong defensive lineup for the Thunder.

London Pulse hosted their second home game of the season at Copperbox Arena, taking on early 2019 frontrunners Wasps Netball. Pulse have yet to be able to back up their winning start to the season, losing two of their first three 2019 VNSL games and sliding to tenth on the ladder. Wasps, only played their second game for the season after an extended break but forced errors and sloppy play from Pulse. Wasps came away with another strong 50 – 61 win and are now sitting at the top of the leaderboard despite only having played two games, but will need to continue their successful streak and strong winning margins to maintain their position. Wasps shooter, Rachel Dunn took to the court for her 200th domestic game, while despite a strong start for the Pulse, they were unable to hold onto the match in the second half. South African captain Bongi Msomi returned to Wasps for the first time in 2019 following international duties in the Northern Quad Series and spending 2018 in Australia playing with the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

In a shock end to round three, Surrey Storm raced home against Team Bath, beating the ladder leaders on their home soil. Bath were outplayed and outclassed by a fighting and winless Storm side who claimed a six goal victory (50-56). Storm were keen for a win to get off the bottom of the leaderboard and it showed on court. Despite a strong start by the home side, Bath trailed by two at half time as Storm’s calm and clinical approach to the game paid off on the scoreboard. Team Bath seemed shaken by Storm’s control of the game, forcing a number of changes to the Bath side throughout the game in a bid to take back control. South African, Sigi Burger was dominant for Storm, shooting at a high accuracy to be named player of the match, while Australian recruit, Beryl Friday was effective for Bath in goals, playing out three of four quarters. Despite missing England Roses defender, Eboni Usoro-Brown to injury following the Quad Series, Team Bath did not have the connection or work rate we are used to seeing that would have pushed them over the line.

Mavericks vs Lightning 64 – 51
Stars vs Dragons 57 – 40
Thunder vs Sirens 70 – 45
Pulse vs Wasps 50 – 61
Bath vs Storm 50 – 56